About the Troy Strawberry Festival Soccer Invitational

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WHEN:	May 17 - May 18, 2008
WHERE:	Troy, Ohio
FEES:	U8-U10 $350; U11-U12 $375; U13-U15 $400; U16-U18 $450 USD
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, Apr 20, 2008
PAY TO:	Troy Strawberry Festival; Troy Strawberry Festival Soccer Invitational, P.O. BOX 251, TROY, OHIO 45373

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The Troy Strawberry Festival and Troy Soccer Programs are pleased to announce their 11th Annual Soccer Invitational. This is a fully sanctioned U.S. Youth Soccer tournament, which only caters to League Teams. This year, we hope to host 230 teams for a great soccer weekend.

SITES
The Tournament is held at four sites in Miami County. Paul Duke Park: an immaculate 10 field complex, is located NW from the center of Troy, off of Riverside Drive. Archer Park: a complex of 4 pristine fields, is located off of Adams Street, 2 minutes from Duke Park. Ferguson Field: the Troy High School Reserve Soccer Stadium and additional fields are located between the Troy Junior and Senior High Schools. Kyle Park: ten fields located in Tipp City's spacious park are a short 10 minutes from the Troy area parks. Archer, Duke and Ferguson sites are within 5 minutes of exit #74, off of I-75 and Kyle Park is within 5 minutes of exit #68 off of I-75.

PLAY
Each participating team will play a minimum of three games with a maximum of four games. Preliminary games are scheduled to begin on Saturday morning, May 17, 2008, and will conclude with the Championship games on Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2008.

AWARDS
Team awards will be presented to the 1st and 2nd place winners in each division U-08 through U-18 inclusive, along with individual player awards. A sportsmanship award will be presented to one player from each preliminary round game.

FEES
$350.00 per team for U8 through U9. $375.00 per team for U10 and U11. $400.00 per team for U12 through U15. $450.00 per team for U16 through U18. All remittance must be in US Funds. Make checks or money orders payable to "Troy Strawberry Festival." Please DO NOT send cash.

ENTRY
All applications must be completed and received no later than April 18, 2008. Teams that are not accepted will have their entry fee returned with their letter of notification. Any application received after April 18, 2008 will be automatically placed on a waiting list. Because of the response to tournament applications, we encourage that a team resume accompanies each application. This will greatly assist the Selection Committee with your team evaluation and bracket placement.

QUALIFICATIONS
Applications are considered from youth teams that are duly registered and play in scheduled league competition. Players must be currently registered with a team chartered by their state association and will be required to produce their USYSA player passes as proof of eligibility. No player will be permitted to play on more than one team during the tournament. Club teams may add up to 2 guest players for a maximum of 10 players for the U-8 thru U-9 teams; up to 2 guest players and a maximum of 12 players for the U-10 teams; up to 3 guest players for a maximum of 14 players for the U-11 teams and up to 4 guest players for a maximum roster size of 18 players for the U-12 through U-18 teams. Please refer to the tournament sanction form if questions arise.

U-17 through U-18 teams may register up to 22 players for the tournament but a roster of no more then 18 players must be submitted to the game officials before each game. Only players listed on the game roster may play in each game.

REFEREES
All referees in attendance will be licensed by the USSF and will receive the standard accepted league fee per game. If you know of anyone wishing to referee at the tournament, they should complete the referee application form by clicking here or, for questions, via our contact form, click here.

TEAM SELECTION
The "Selection Committee" will have sole discretion in the acceptance of teams to the Troy Strawberry Festival Invitational. The acceptance process will be completed within two weeks following the April 18th deadline and e-mail notifications are sent to all teams. The selection process is assisted by the information provided to the tournament on your application; i.e. team records, level of play, out of town /state vs. local teams (to achieve a balance), and performance in post season tournaments. It is important to provide as much information as possible to assist the committee in properly evaluating your team. Cashing of the entry fee by the Tournament does NOT indicate acceptance to the tournament.

TOURNAMENT PRIDE
Our goal is for the tournament to gain outstanding recognition for its quality teams, referees, sites of play and organization. This pride in our tournament comes from the enthusiasm and hard work of all the members of the FC Tippecanoe, Troy Soccer Club, and Troy High School Soccer Parents Inc., who are dedicated to promoting this event and to the players, coaches, and parents who attend this year.

ACCOMMODATIONS
If assistance is needed with your hotel reservations, either click this convenient link or contact the Miami County Visitor's Bureau, (800) 348-8993.

So, welcome to the Troy Strawberry Festival Soccer Invitational and come prepared to be a winner. Also, be certain to arrange for early or late checkouts from your hotel, as required by your advancement in the Tournament and playing schedule.

DIRECTOR
David Pappas
(Contact Information appears at the bottom of each web page).

TOURNAMENT FAX
Sabra Johnson (937) 339-4944