VANCOUVER, BC – After a successful inaugural tournament last year, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are proud to again partner with adidas Canada, BC Soccer, and the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League to deliver the second annual adidas Champions Cup.
“The first year of the adidas Champions Cup was fantastic,” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development. “We’re really pleased to be working together with our partners to bring it back again this year.”
The adidas Champions Cup is a U-16 boys and girls tournament consisting of eight teams in each competition from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL). The eight teams are split into two groups of four, with every team playing three group matches and the group winners then going head-to-head in a championship final on Sunday. This year’s tournament runs on September 1 and 2 at Minoru Oval Park in Richmond, BC.
“We’re really excited to be the presenting sponsor of this marvelous tournament,” said Jeff McDonell, sport and event marketing manager for the adidas Group. “The inaugural event was very well received, and we’re certain that this year’s tournament will be equally exciting. We look forward to enjoying the adidas Champions Cup for years to come.”
Following the conclusion of each competition, presentations will be done to award the winning team, the golden boot for top scorer, and the best defender. On hand for the presentation will be Whitecaps FC legend Carl Valentine and an appearance by one of the club’s MLS stars.
“On behalf of the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League and its participating clubs, I would like to thank adidas Canada for once again offering us the opportunity to be exclusive participants in the adidas Champions Cup,” said David Haber, president of the BCSPL. “This event provides our U-16 teams with an ideal competitive environment as they prepare for the fall season of the league.”
All EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League teams return to action for the fall season on the weekend of September 15 and 16. For more information on the league, go to http://www.bcsoccerpremierleague.net.
EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League
The EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League was designed to create a new high performance level of competition and support player development at the provincial, professional and national team level. It will simplify scouting of top young players, provide an elevated level of competition and increase the chance for players fulfilling their potential and creates a dynamic new commercial property at the pinnacle of youth soccer in BC.
Eight founding franchises were announced on February 17, 2011.
- Coquitlam Metro Ford
- Fusion FC (Vancouver/Richmond)
- Magnuson Ford Mariners FC (Abbotsford)
- Mountain United FC (Burnaby/North Shore)
- South Fraser Soccer Club
- Surrey United FC
- Thompson Okanagan FC
- Vancouver Island Wave
Each of the inaugural founding franchises has a nominated representative as their member on the League Board of Governors.
The first full season of competition will began February 25, 2012 and continues through November. It will features male and female divisions at the U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-17/U-18 levels, equating to approximately 1,600 players.
For information about EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League please contact:
Paul Mullen
BC Soccer
Director of Operations and partnership manager for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer relationship
paulmullen@bcsoccer.net
604-299-6401 ext. 2355
604-317-9451 (cell)
