Copa Rayados Internacional, SeaWorld and San Antonio Sports Join Forces to Offer the Largest Competitive Select Youth Soccer Tournament in the Alamo City
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) May 22, 2014 -- In partnership with San Antonio Sports, the SeaWorld Copa Rayados Internacional, will expand its tournament opportunities and activities for over 10,000 attendees to enjoy! The event, which takes place during Thanksgiving week November 26-30, 2014, will become part of the Bexar County Games presented by Ancira, with SeaWorld San Antonio hosting the opening ceremonies. Registration is available online at http://www.coparayados.com.
“The Bexar County Games are one more way youth can experience the transformational power of sport, which is our mission. They are played on beautiful new facilities and help level the playing field with what other Texas communities offer,” said Russ Bookbinder, President and CEO of San Antonio Sports. “We are excited to offer this international competition opportunity.”
The SeaWorld Copa Rayados Internacional has partnered with San Antonio Sports. The non-profit organization sports commission attracts premier events to the Alamo City and delivers youth sports and fitness programs that serve thousands of children annually. SeaWorld San Antonio, the largest marine life waterpark in the world, is the title sponsor and will provide added benefits and opportunities to all attending the tournament. The tournament will attract more than 250 teams from across Texas, the United States, and Mexico. It will be the largest competitive select youth soccer tournament in the city, offering competition levels from elite to division two.
Monterrey Rayados, the Mexican pro club and three-time North American champions, is hosting the elite tournament for a second year in San Antonio. CF Monterrey Rayados is a top ranked professional club, most recently ranked #42 in the world, and has the top youth academy in Mexico.
In 2013, champions were crowned from Mexico including Monterrey Rayados, UNAM Pumas, and Santos Laguna; from the USA, including Houston Dynamo, San Antonio Texans, and North Texas' Olympic Development Program; and internationally with Nigeria represented with champions, Garden City Panthers.
As a part of the Bexar County Games, the SeaWorld Copa Rayados Internacional will provide more competitive opportunities for youth soccer in San Antonio. In addition to the elite competitive levels of play, the tournament will offer an Alamo division for under 14 for mid- to development-level competitive teams. This will provide an opportunity for 100 additional teams to participate in the tournament under the Bexar County Games banner. The 2014 Bexar County Games presented by Ancira consist of four youth sports competitions – basketball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse -- that take place at Bexar County facilities, some of the best venues in Texas. The Bexar County Games are proudly supported by sponsors Ancira, H-E-B, Chipotle, Pizza Hut, Valero, Mission Foods, Nationwide and FOX29/ CW35.
"We have been looking for more opportunities to engage our fan base in the United States and growing this tournament in San Antonio is a priority,” said Nicolas Martellotto, director of CF Monterrey Rayados youth academy. “Monterrey Rayados has a great following in the United States and having this tournament and SeaWorld San Antonio as a partner creates a family and cross-cultural event for everyone to enjoy."
"The interest for the tournament, going into the second year, has been exploding attracting more international teams, Texans teams, and teams from across the USA and Mexico. Last year, we had close to 40 teams from Mexico compete, and we'll increase that number by at least 50%!" states Scott Spencer, tournament director for CF Monterrey Rayados and the SeaWorld San Antonio Copa Rayados Internacional. “With the San Antonio Convention & Visitor's Bureau, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and San Antonio Sports as strategic partners, it will be a great opportunity for sponsors and partners to engage the regional, national, and international soccer communities.”
See the best of the best youth teams in Texas, Mexico, and beyond in San Antonio this Thanksgiving! To register online visit http://www.coparayados.com.
Scott Spencer, Premier Soccer Services, http://www.premiersoccerservices.com, +1 2103054821, [email protected]
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