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Call for UK clubs to join 7 Elite Academy tournament

By James Shaw, 09/21/18, 2:00PM MDT

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7 Elite Academy is looking to add an international flavour to its popular invitational tournament in Utah at the start of next year.

Hundreds of youngsters will descend on Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park and Little Valley Fields for the competition from January 31st, 2019.

And following a successful visit from Premier League football James Milner in September, Academy bosses want teams from the UK to make the trip to St. George.

Anthony Godfrey, Global Technical Director at 7 Elite Academy, said: “We have very close links to Premier League clubs in the UK, so it makes sense to bring some junior teams over for our tournament.

“I have always said that our tournament is a celebration of junior soccer, so what could be better than adding a little bit of international rivalry into the mix?

“So many youth players in Europe today chase the dream of Plan A and that is to hopefully one day player under the lights of Champions League football and rightly so. Unfortunately many fall short of Plan A and start chasing the game down the lower leagues, with some struggling to find a way back into the game.

“However, pursuing a successful soccer scholarship career in the United States can give them a new pathway in the game, along with a fantastic education. This tournament will give players around the world a chance to experience life in the U.S., but most importantly it will give them an understanding of the opportunities it can create for them in the future within the game.

“We know there are going to be costs involved with bringing teams over from the UK, so we are prepared to help where we can.”

Registration costs for the tournament, excluding travel and accommodation, will be $545 for teams aged under-9 to under-12 and $595 for teams aged under-13 to under-19.

The competition will get under way on January 31st and conclude with the final matches on February 2nd.

Utah is well known as a top tourist spot in the US, with the famous Arches National Park, Las Vegas and The Grand Canyon all within an easy drive from St. George.

Wayne Scholes, CEO of 7 Elite Academy, said: “Having grown up in the UK, I wish I’d had the opportunity to play soccer in the United States as a youth. Utah is a wonderful part of the world.

“We know we have some excellent teams here at 7 Elite Academy, but of course the UK is the birthplace of soccer. It will be fascinating to challenge our young players against top competition from overseas.

“The great thing about Utah is that the weather is fantastic in January, so this is a brilliant chance to play tournament soccer in the middle of the UK winter.

“The trip will be a wonderful opportunity for players from the UK to experience difference cultures and develop as fine young people off the pitch.”

For more information on how to enroll for the competition and travel details, email anthony.godfrey@7eliteacademy.com.