RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, February 9, 2010) – Ukrop Park, home of the Richmond Kickers, has been identified as a potential team base camp to be included in the United States bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™. The sports complex has been chosen as a possible training camp to host one of the 32 competing soccer nations, if the USA is awarded the honor to host either the 2018 or 2022 events. Team Base Camps will provide the visiting teams with a ‘home away from home’ and outstanding fitness and training facilities to help them in their final preparations for the biggest sporting event in the world.
“The opportunity for the Richmond community to be a part of a World Cup experience would be amazing,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “The World Cup brings with it an energy, passion and atmosphere that no other sporting event can rival. The possibility to have some of the best soccer players in the world based in Richmond and training at Ukrop Park would be a wonderful achievement for the region.”
If the USA is successful in its bid, the world’s most elite athletes may be able to benefit from Ukrop Park’s state-of-the-art facilities including six lighted athletic fields, including two environmentally friendly Sportexe synthetic turf fields and a full-scale aquatics center.
“We are thrilled that the committee has identified the Richmond region and Ukrop Park as a potential training base camp for their bid,” adds Rob Ukrop, President of the Richmond Kickers Board of Directors. The future development of Ukrop Park, in partnership with Chesterfield County, will provide an ideal venue for a top national team in the world. We are elated at the possibility of hosting Brazil, Germany, Mexico, or another World Cup qualifier at our state-of-the-art facility.”
FIFA is slated to make the decision and announce the host nations for both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups on December 2, 2010. The United States recently announced 18 host cities to be included in the bid documentation that is due to FIFA on May 14. The 18 potential host cities are Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington DC.
About Ukrop Park
The 34.5-acre sports complex Ukrop Park serves as the home of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club. The environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art complex features six lighted athletic fields and a full-scale aquatics center. Ukrop Park is conveniently located in Chesterfield County at the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Route 10 and utilizes the latest technology in Musco lighting and Sportexe synthetic turf.
About the Richmond Kickers Soccer Club
The Richmond Kickers Soccer Club provides high quality and diverse, yet affordable soccer programs for soccer players of all ages and abilities. A metropolitan club, the Kickers offer year-round programs throughout Richmond. The nationally renowned Club Model exemplifies the vertically integrated player development system, with little KICKS (ages 2-6) serving as the foundation and the Richmond Kickers professional team as the pinnacle.
Today over 6,000 soccer players participate in programs sponsored by the Kickers and partner clubs, including Midlothian Youth Soccer League, Ashland Youth Soccer League, City of Richmond Parks and Rec., Goochland United Soccer Association and little KICKS. Named as one of only 30 adidas Sports Marketing Clubs in the U.S., the club provides opportunities for all players of all abilities and unites soccer in the Central Virginia community. Benefits include economy of scale, consistency of coaching philosophy, professional administrative and coaching staff expertise, positive role models for youth players and a clear pathway from youth to pro for aspiring young players.
