Canton area to host the BEST from four continents, gaining nearly $5 million from 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship
This summer, for the first time on American soil, the world will play America’s game.The June 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championships will showcase the power of American football, the merits of global camaraderie and the prestige of international competition.The tournament, making its home in the Hall of Fame city, will create an economic impact of $4.475 million for the Canton area, according to the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
“We’ve always known that football is America’s favorite sport and it will be extremely exciting to see the same passion we have for the game in the eyes and hearts of young players and coaches from four continents,” said IFAF Junior World Championship Host Committee Chairman, Bob Belden, president of the Canton-based Belden Brick Company. “Aside from adding to Canton’s unparalleled football history, these 12 games endow our area with financial muscle during a time when Fawcett Stadium does not traditionally host events.”
Football’s first Junior World Championship brings the eight strongest national under 19 amateur football teams, spanning four continents, to Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium from June 27 to July 5. Games will be played on June 27, July 1, July 4 and July 5, and feature national teams from Canada, France,Germany, Japan, Mexico,New Zealand, Sweden and the United States. Chuck Kyle of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School is the head coach of USA Football’s Junior National Team, representing the United States. Players and coaching staff will be housed atWalsh University.
Research conducted by the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau indicates that nearly $5 million will be generated for the region through event expenses, participant, spectator and outof- town guest spending and other miscellaneous expenditures.All told, the influx of visitors is anticipated to exceed 42,000:
• 360 football players, aged 19 and under, from eight nations
• 80 coaches
• 32 football officials from IFAF’s 52 member nations
• Approximately 1,500 team family members and guests
• Approximately 50 television production and media personnel
• More than 40,000 fans attending games at Fawcett Stadium
“This report demonstrates in very clear terms the immense economic benefit that the IFAF Junior World Championship is bringing to Canton and our surrounding communities,” said John Kiste, executive director of the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. “We look forward to a tremendous and historic tournament in a city and region wellaccustomed to authoring football ‘firsts.’”
The study defines “economic impact” as direct spending (visitor spending with local tourism-related businesses) and indirect spending (additional local spending that occurs due to a “chain reaction” from the direct spending, such as wages paid to tourism industry workers).
Official sponsors, suppliers,and proud supporting brands for the Junior World Championships include:Under Armour, NFL, NFL Players Association, NCAA, Riddell, Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Game tickets and tournament packages are on sale now, starting at only $10! Visit www.jwcfootball.com to buy tickets and get more information about the tournament, the teams and other activities happening during the extraordinary football event.
