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All-Stars Host Youth Clinic

June 16, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


Morrisville, NC-The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) will unveil its Soccer Starz grassroots program during the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game Thursday June, 19th. Soccer Starz is similar to the NFL's Punt, Pass and Kick and will include competitions in each of the WUSA cities with local winners advancing to the Finals event during halftime of the Founders Cup in San Diego.

The program will provide the WUSA's younger fans an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and connect with the League and its players providing lasting memories. Soccer Starz also represents a tremendous opportunity for the League to take advantage of the additional exposure women's soccer will be receiving during the Women's World Cup and Olympic Games over the next two years. In order to reach a broader audience, the League expects to expand Soccer Starz to markets beyond the WUSA's current eight-team markets.

"The WUSA is the world's premier women's professional soccer league and the World Cup will feature our star players playing a critical role in many nations' bid for a World Cup victory," said Lynn Morgan, President & CEO of the WUSA. "Soccer Starz is a program designed to provide a connection to our League for young soccer players who dream of one day being the next Tiffeny Milbrett or Mia Hamm."

Like Punt, Pass & Kick, the competition is broken up into to three tests of important fundamental skills: The Dribble and Shoot Frenzy, The Overhead Throw and The Long Kick.

The Dribble and Shoot Frenzy has three soccer balls placed 12 yards apart and 30 yards from the goal. Each participant must dribble each ball to at least the penalty box touching the ball at least once with each foot. The player is allowed to shoot on goal from anywhere within the penalty box, however, a three second penalty will be assessed if the shot does not go in the goal. The player is timed from the moment the whistle is blown until their last shot on goal crosses the end line

The Overhead Throw is to challenge participants to make an overhead throw as far and accurate as possible. Each participant will have two opportunities to make overhead throws without crossing a starting line and down a straight line. Two spotters will mark the spot where the ball first lands and determine the best throw. The throws will be measured for length and accuracy. The number of inches the ball lands away from the straight line will be deducted from the overall length of throw.

The Long Kick provides each participant to have two opportunities to make kicks without crossing the starting line and down a straight line. Two spotters will mark the spot where the ball first lands and determine the best kick. The kicks will be measured for length and accuracy. The number of inches the ball lands away from the straight line will be deducted from the overall length of kick.

Following the All-Star game, each WUSA team will be hosting WUSA Soccer Starz competitions. Each games winners will compete at the their team's final home game for their chance to advance to the WUSA Soccer Starz national final which will take place during the WUSA Founders Cup in San Diego.

Eligible participants are boys and girls age 11 and under in attendance during a WUSA game.

Each home team's WUSA Soccer Starz representative will be flown to the Founders Cup, receive tickets to the game and be honored during a special competitors luncheon and on the field during halftime.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 16, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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