What is happening with the Winter Showcase event?

Due to financial issues identified and concerns raised over the future viability of the venue in Mesa, Ariz., the Girls Academy is relocating our marquee Winter Showcase event to SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, Calif. After extensive information gathering and consideration of many factors, including the potential impact on our member clubs and families, the League’s leaders felt that continuing to rely on the struggling Mesa facility would be irresponsible. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to move the event to a more reliable venue.

We understand the late timing of this change may cause inconveniences for some clubs and families. We also know, however, that this is a critical event for player recruitment and that continuing down a path with a facility that is going out of business was simply not an option. Therefore, we worked swiftly to secure a different location that will provide the opportunity for our teams to compete. We want to assure everyone this decision was made responsibly, based on the information available to us, while keeping in mind the best interests of our players, clubs, and families.

 

We already booked our travel arrangements – what should we do?

Any club who made their accommodations through On Location / Anthony Travel will be able to cancel their existing reservations in the Mesa area free of charge. No further action will be needed by you or anyone else from your club.

If your club made accommodations outside of On Location / Anthony Travel and experience issues canceling your hotel accommodations, contact On Location at 855-665-3286 or via email at [email protected]. They will make every possible effort to assist with canceling your existing block.

On Location has already begun securing hotel accommodations near SilverLakes Sports Complex. The best available hotel options will be available Tuesday, October 24 at 11:00am ET / 8:00am PT via this booking link – Winter Showcase Booking Link.

We encourage you to wait for these hotels and not contact hotels directly. Contacting hotels directly puts more buyers in the market, which drives higher rates and more restrictive terms for all clubs traveling to the event. Should you have any questions related to travel or housing, please contact On Location at 855-665-3286 or by email at [email protected].

 

Have the event dates or play dates for age groups changed?

No – the event dates and play dates for age groups have not changed for teams participating in Winter Showcase or Champions Cup. The first possible kick-off on a team’s first day will be 8:00am on Thursday or 9:00am on Friday. Specific play dates are as follows:

  • U13 – Champions Cup: Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 2
  • U14 – Champions Cup: Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 2
  • U15 – Showcase: Dec. 1, 2 or 3, 4 / Champions Cup: Dec. 1, 2, 4
  • U16 – Showcase: Dec. 1, 2 or 3, 4 / Champions Cup: Dec. 1, 2, 4
  • U17 – Showcase: Nov. 30, Dec. 1 or 2, 3 / Champions Cup: Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 3
  • U19 – Showcase: Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 3 / Champions Cup: Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 3

Games for East Coast teams will be scheduled earlier on travel-out days wherever possible. Last possible kick-off times on these days will be:

  • U13: 11:00am
  • U14: 11:00am
  • U15: 1:00pm
  • U16: 1:00pm
  • U17: 1:00pm
  • U19: 1:00pm

 

Will the change in event location impact the number of college coaches and YNT Scouts who will attend?

Communication has been sent to all college coaches and YNT Scouts notifying them of the relocation of the event to ensure they can adjust their travel plans accordingly.  The League Commissioner will be communicating regularly with college coaches and scouts.

 

The West Regional event was also scheduled to be in Mesa, Ariz. – will that event also be moved?

Yes – the West Regional event will no longer be held at the originally planned location. We will notify our clubs in the coming weeks of the new location.

 

If I have a specific question that has not been addressed, whom at Girls Academy should I contact?

Any questions for the League should be directed to a club representative who may then direct the question to a pre-identified member of the Girls Academy staff.