Jefferson Cup continues four-weekend model for 2018 tournament

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(Via Richmond Strikers) – In 2017, 238 men’s and 423 women’s college coaches attended the Jefferson Cup, setting record numbers for the sixth year in a row for both the boys and girls showcase events.

It was the first year that the flagship event of the Richmond Strikers Tournament Series had featured a four-weekend model, hosting dedicated weekends for college showcase age groups and younger age groups on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. The result was the largest turnout for all levels of college soccer recruiting in the tournament’s nearly four-decade long history, which made the decision to continue with the expanded model in 2018 and beyond a relatively easy one.

“The record numbers of applicants and participants for 2017, almost 1,400 teams accepted, proved that expansion to four weekends was necessary,” said Richmond  Strikers Director of Tournaments Steve D’Adamo. “In addition, we hosted over 650 college coaches for our boys and girls showcases. We are excited to host four weekends again in 2018 and are always determined to provide an even greater experience for the players, coaches, teams and clubs.”

With youth clubs representing 30 or more U.S. states along with a handful of international teams on an annual basis, the geographic reach of programs from all levels of collegiate soccer attending the event has continued to expand as well. Both the boys and girls showcase weekends in 2017 featured a wide range of NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College and Community College programs: Women’s Coaches | Men’s Coaches

At the younger levels, small-sided formats will continue to accommodate U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives, while featuring some of the highest levels of inter-league competition anywhere in the country.

Division champions frequently represent the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) on the girls side, as well as US Youth Soccer’s National League and top regional leagues, and US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues, which had over 200 teams representing the 20 NPLs around the country in the 2017 Jefferson Cup as part of an ongoing partnership.

One again in 2018, the Jefferson Cup will utilize two of the state’s top field complexes located outside the Richmond area, including the Virginia Soccer Training Center operated by the Virginia Youth Soccer Association in Fredericksburg, and the Warhill Sports Complex in Williamsburg. [+All 2018 Field Assignments]

The dates for the 2018 Jefferson Cup have been set and applications opened on August 1.

Boys  Weekend
U10-U15 (2008-2003)
March 10-11, 2018

Girls Weekend
U10-14 (2008-2004)
March 17-18, 2018

Girls Showcase Weekend
U15-U19 (2003-99/00)
March 23-25, 2018

Boys  Showcase Weekend
U16-U19 (2002-99/00)
March 30- April 1, 2018