BR will host youth soccer regional in 2010

• By CYNTHIA CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Mar 8, 2009 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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There’s no doubt that soccer players, their families and fans are going places. Baton Rouge hospitality and tourism officials are already looking forward to June 16-24, 2010, when the city will host the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional competition.

Gary Buete, executive director of the Baton Rouge Soccer Association, said the championship teams from 12 southern states will compete at the BREC Burbank-Soccer Complex on Burbank between Siegen and Bluebonnet.

The Baton Rouge Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Baton Rouge Sports Foundation are assisting with arrangements for the competition. Buete said he expects 3,500 youths ages 14-19 will participate in the matches. “It’s estimated that the event will draw from 12,000 to 15,000 visitors to Baton Rouge.”

Buete said that about 4,000 youths play soccer in the Baton Rouge area, and about 2,200 adults play the game.

For additional information, contact the Baton Rouge Soccer Association, (225) 924-2157 or visit http://www.brsa.org.