Supercuts SoccerFest kicks off this weekend in Amherst

Date: 4/28/2014

AMHERST – Supercuts SoccerFest 2014 is this weekend. Every year, the tournament is organized by a group of undergraduate students from the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst.

Ninety-seven teams from both youth and adult skills levels will be playing in Supercuts SoccerFest this year, which is the highest number of teams registered in the tournament since 2008.

Supercuts SoccerFest 2014 will take place on Saturday, April 26 on the athletic fields behind McGuirk Football Stadium. Games will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 5 p.m. The 97 registered teams will play in nine divisions, including Top Gun Male, the tournament’s largest and most competitive division.

Fun Zone

In addition to a great day of soccer competition, Supercuts SoccerFest encourages players, spectators, families, and students alike to come out to the event to enjoy our Fun Zone. In the Fun Zone, there will be games, inflatables, face painting and hair styling from Supercuts Zach’s Wax, food and beverage from UMass Dining, and multiple contests for a chance to win great prizes. Some of the prizes include an autographed Jon Lester baseball, an autographed Boston Bruins hockey stick, an autographed Rob Gronkowski Patriots cap, a FIFA World Cup Team Italy Jersey, and an autographed New England Revolution Jersey. Throughout the day there will be live entertainment from the Guitar Dudes, S#arp Attitude, a UMass a capella group, and Supermoon, a student band.

Community and Charity Involvement

Each year, the students organizing Supercuts SoccerFest use the tournament as a gateway for community involvement, charitable giving, and participation in sport. This initiative has lead to an affiliation with two nonprofit organizations, You Can Play and Northampton Exercise Club for the Homeless.

You Can Play

Launched in 2012, You Can Play is a social activism campaign geared towards eradicating homophobia in sports. Initially gaining traction in the National Hockey League, the movement has garnered support from teams in the professional basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and now Supercuts SoccerFest. Supercuts SoccerFest has partnered with You Can Play to promote a soccer festival that is inclusive to all individuals from all walks of life. At Supercuts SoccerFest 2014, participants can sign the You Can Play pledge to show their support of other soccer players and athletes, coaches, and teammates regardless of their sexual orientation.

Northampton Exercise Club for the Homeless

Also a student-run organization like SoccerFest, the Northampton Exercise Club aims to provide support and confidence to local homeless individuals by engaging them in a weekly exercise group. To assist the Exercise Club in their mission, Supercuts SoccerFest will be making a monetary donation and will also conduct an athletic clothing drive on the day of SoccerFest. Donations can be made at the SoccerFest Registration Tent. All donors will be entered in a raffle to win a basketball signed by Jeff Green of the Boston Celtics.

For more information, visit www.soccerfest.org.