1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 930 • West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125 Game On! April 2015 In this Issue • USA Gymnastics Region VIII Championships • IEA Brings National Finals To Palm Beach County • Okeeheelee BMX To Host Statewide Competition • AJGA Swings Into Palm Beach County Board of Directors The USA Gymnastics Region VIII Championships will be soaring into the Palm Beach County Convention Center e USA Gymnastics (USAG) Region VIII Men’s Championships will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on April 9-12, 2015. e Gymnastics Revolution, an elite athletic training center based in West Palm Beach, is partnering with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, to host this prestigious gymnastics meet. e USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships is open to gymnasts from the southeast region of the United States, which encompasses 8 states (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina). Competitors from these 8 states will have the opportunity to qualify for the USAG National Championships by competing at the USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships. Prior to participating in the Region VIII Men’s Championship, gymnasts must qualify at their USAG State Championship. Nearly 800 gymnasts and 200 coaches are expected to travel to Palm Beach County. is meet will feature gymnasts from the ages of 8 to 18 participating in a variety of skill levels. e meet consists of six unique gymnastics events, which include the pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, and floor exercise. e event schedule begins with one day of warm-ups and practice followed by three days of competition. Awards ceremonies immediately follow the conclusion of each event per skill level on Saturday and Sunday. e USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships will take place in Palm Beach County for the first time. is event took place in Birmingham, AL in 2014, Dalton, GA in 2013, and Jackson, MS in 2012. e last USA Gymnastics event to call Palm Beach County home was in March of 2011 when the USAG Florida Men’s State Championships took place at the Florida Atlantic University Arena. e USAG Region VIII Men’s Championship will provide a significant economic boost for Palm Beach County’s economy. e influx of athletes, coaches, and their families will increase hotel occupancy while generating revenues for restaurants, retail outlets, and local businesses. e event is projected to generate over 1,500 hotel room nights and $500,000 in direct visitor spending. Pamela Linden - President Stephanie Lanza - Vice President Eric Call - Treasurer Jack Daniels Nick Davidson William Davis John DeMott Patty Dent Michelle Jaminet Malachi Knowles Anthony Lafaso Steve Politziner Guy Quattlebaum Margie Walden Michael Zeff Jeff Zipper Joe Ceravolo - Emeritus Dr. Ed Eissey - Emeritus Jim Watt - Emeritus Ex-Officio Directors Mike Bauer Ralph Jimenez Ken Kennerly Michelle McGann Jason Rittenberry Howard Schnellenberger John Smith Carolyn Stone (Continued on Page 2)
Transcript
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 930 • West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125
Game On!April 2015
In this Issue• USA Gymnastics Region VIII
Championships • IEA Brings National Finals To
Palm Beach County• Okeeheelee BMX To Host
Statewide Competition• AJGA Swings Into Palm Beach
County
Board of Directors
The USA Gymnastics Region VIII Championships will be soaring into the Palm Beach County Convention Center
The USA Gymnastics (USAG) Region VIII Men’s Championships will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on April 9-12, 2015. The Gymnastics Revolution, an elite athletic training center based in West Palm Beach, is partnering with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, to host this prestigious gymnastics meet. The USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships is open to gymnasts from the southeast region of the United States, which encompasses 8 states (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina). Competitors from these 8 states will have the opportunity to qualify for the USAG National Championships by competing at the USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships. Prior to participating in the Region VIII Men’s Championship, gymnasts must qualify at their USAG State Championship.
Nearly 800 gymnasts and 200 coaches are expected to travel to Palm Beach County. This meet will feature gymnasts from the ages of 8 to 18 participating in a variety of skill levels. The meet consists of six unique gymnastics events,
which include the pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, and floor exercise. The event schedule begins with one day of warm-ups and practice followed by three days of competition. Awards
ceremonies immediately follow the conclusion of each event per skill level on Saturday and Sunday.
The USAG Region VIII Men’s Championships will take place in Palm Beach County for the first time. This event took place in
Birmingham, AL in 2014, Dalton, GA in 2013, and Jackson, MS in 2012. The last USA Gymnastics event to call Palm Beach County home was in March of 2011 when the USAG Florida Men’s State Championships took place at the Florida Atlantic University Arena.
The USAG Region VIII Men’s Championship will provide a significant economic boost for Palm Beach County’s economy. The influx of athletes, coaches, and their families will increase hotel occupancy while generating revenues for restaurants, retail outlets, and local businesses. The event is projected to generate over 1,500 hotel room nights and $500,000 in direct visitor spending.
Mike BauerRalph JimenezKen Kennerly Michelle McGannJason RittenberryHoward SchnellenbergerJohn SmithCarolyn Stone
(Continued on Page 2)
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 930 • West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125
Interscholastic Equestrian Association Brings National Finals to Palm Beach County
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) was established in 2002 and has grown to encompass over 8,000 members in 32 states across North America. The mission of the IEA is to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools to equestrian sports
and to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction. The IEA supports two disciplines, Hunt Seat and Western. The IEA is an affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The Palm Beach County Sports Commission will partner with the IEA this coming April to host a national equestrian event in Palm Beach County.
The 2015 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals will take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach on April 24-26, 2015. The equestrian’s season culmination of local, regional, and zone championships, the National Finals will feature approximately 500 of the nation’s best middle and high school equestrian athletes. These riders will compete in 12 individual classes and 12 team classes with each class featuring 24 participants. Because athletes in the National Finals are required to qualify while competing at local, regional, or zone competitions, they will represent the most gifted riders, from all parts of the United States. The unique aspect of the IEA competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Since the horse is new to the rider, the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation.
The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is a 111-acre world class equestrian showplace owned by Palm Beach County. The facility features a covered arena, show rings, ample spectator and coach seating areas, and 128 permanent stalls.
The IEA Hunt Seat National Finals are expected to provide a significant economic boost for Palm Beach County. The high volume of traveling riders and their family members are estimated to generate over $500,000 in visitor spending and more than 1,200 hotel room nights. This event enhances the already incredible resume Palm Beach County owns as a premier destination for equestrian sports.
The Palm Beach County Convention Center presents a spectacular setting for indoor sports events. An architectural gem with state-of-the-art amenities, the 350,000 square-foot center features a 100,000 square-foot exhibit hall, a 22,000
square-foot ballroom and 21,000 square feet of flexible breakout space. The USA Gymnastics Region VIII Men’s Championship will increase the growing list of impressive sports events that have occupied the Palm Beach County Convention Center. USA Gymnastics (USAG) is the national governing body for the sport in the United States. This designation comes from the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in the United States. USA Gymnastics has many responsibilities, including selecting and training the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for Olympic Games and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on a grassroots and national level; and serving as a resource center for member clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the United States. The organization has programs in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling and acrobatic gymnastics.
Today, more than 120,000 athletes and professionals are members of USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics sanction more than 4,000 competitions and events annually throughout the United States.
Gymnastics (Continued from page 1)
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 930 • West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125
The Sunshine State BMX Association (SSA) will host a Florida Cup Series Qualifier at Okeeheelee Park on April 11-12, 2015. The event features two races (Saturday and Sunday) and will attract more than 600 male and female competitors from across the state. The event
will feature a variety of age divisions, ranging from youth to adult, as the participants attempt to qualify for the Florida Cup Championship race held in May. Both pro and amateur riders are eligible to compete. Florida’s 800 registered BMX riders are more than any other state in the country.
There is no venue better suited to host a Florida Cup Series event than the Okeeheelee BMX Track. This is one of the nation’s premier facilities and has a robust history of hosting prominent BMX competitions. Okeeheelee Park has been a longtime host to a variety of elite BMX regional and national events, including the National Bicycle League (NBL) Gator Nationals and the USA BMX Gold Cup Qualifier. The Okeeheelee BMX Parent Council devoted countless hours and dollars into facility enhancements of its BMX Track. This dedication resulted in the development of a marquee sports venue for Palm Beach County. The Okeeheelee BMX Track was recently named not only the #1 track in Florida, but also the #1 track in the entire East region. This venue is considered to be one of the top three ranked BMX tracks in the United States.
In addition to the electrifying action that takes place at BMX events, the SSA Florida Cup Series Qualifier will create a tourism impact for Palm Beach County. The invasion of BMX athletes with their families is expected to generate over 500 room nights, and a surge in new revenues for the hospitality community.
Don’t miss the exciting action. Races begin at 9am and will last throughout the day on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. For more information, visit okeeheeleebmx.com.
Okeeheelee BMX To Host Statewide Competition
Youth Basketball Tournaments to Bring Hundreds of Teams and Thousands of Athletes
Over the next two months (April & May), youth basketball tournaments in Palm Beach County will bring hundreds of teams and thousands of athletes. The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSA), a leader in promoting youth basketball events, has sanctioned several tournaments taking place in gymnasiums located throughout all of Palm Beach County. The Jupiter Jam and the Battle in Boca will display more than 200 boys and girls basketball teams over several dates.
The Jupiter Jam, produced by the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) is one of the largest amateur basketball tournaments in Florida. The Girls Jam will take place on April 18-19 and the Boys Jam will occur on May 1-3. The tournaments consist of multiple age divisions that range from 3rd grade to 12th
grade. A total of 12 venues within the north part of the county will be utilized to accommodate approximately 60 girls teams and over 100 boys teams. The Jupiter Jam serves as a qualifier for the USSSA National Championships.
The Battle in Boca, produced by Taylored Athletes, is entering its fourth year and will attract approximately 65 boys on April 17-19. Similar to the Jupiter Jam, this tournament consist of multiple age divisions that range from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Various gymnasiums in the south part of the county will be used to host the Battle in Boca, which serves as a USSSA State Qualifier.
In addition to enriching participation opportunities in youth basketball, the Jupiter Jam and the Battle in Boca will enhance sports tourism. These tournaments will bring a countywide economic impact during the months of April and May. The athletes and their families will dine in local restaurants, shop at local retail outlets, visit local attractions, and stay in Palm Beach County hotels.
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The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will host a junior tournament at the Seagate Country Club in Delray Beach. The Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior at the Seagate will take place on April 24-26. The event will feature 78 of the nation’s top golfers, which include both boys and girls that
range in ages from 12 to 18. The format presents 36 holes of stroke play. Golfers will practice on Friday, before competing on Saturday and Sunday.
The AJGA held its first national tournament in 1978 and will host 110 tournaments in 2015 for its more than 6,000 members. The AJGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn
college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The success of this organization is evident, considering that more than 300 AJGA alumni play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have earned more than 600 Tour victories. A total of 24 of the past 32 NCAA Division I men’s golf championships and 20 of the past 26 NCAA Division I women’s golf championships were won by AJGA alumni.
The AJGA has a great partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Due to this partnership the AJGA Polo™ Golf Junior Classic has taken place at the PGA National Resort & Spa since 2009. This is the AJGA’s premier and season-ending event, which takes place over a week-long span during the end of November. Palm Beach County is Florida’s Golf Capital with over 160 golf courses and optimal year-round climate, which makes it home to the nation’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments.
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Swings into Palm Beach County
