I welcome the Shrewsbury International Soccer Tournament which is to be held again in 2008. Knowing those involved, I am certain that the new event will be of a very high quality and provide a special footballing and international cultural experience to the young people taking part. Michael Owen

THE 2008 SHREWSBURY
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT
3rd - 9th AUGUST 2008
Located in the historic market town of Shrewsbury on the English/Welsh border. Accommodation will be at Shrewsbury School with its tradition dating back to the start of the game and at the University Campus in Telford. Games will be played at the brand-new facilities at Shrewsbury Council's Sports Village. A quality tournament for club, select and professional teams.

WHY THE SHREWSBURY TOURNAMENT?

• NEW DATES MEAN MORE ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES
• A TOP QUALITY SOCCER FACILITY WITH 20 FIELDS TOGETHER
• QUALITY INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION AT PRO, SELECT AND CLUB LEVEL
• AGE GROUPS FROM THOSE BORN IN 1990 TO 1997 WITH COMPETITIONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
• FESTIVALS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS 1998, 1999, 2000
• PRICES TO SUIT ALL BUDGETS
• RESIDENT AND NON RESIDENT TEAMS
• REGULAR SHUTTLES TO AND FROM FIELDS AND INTO TOWN
• A HISTORIC TOWN WITH EXCELLENT SHOPS, FACILITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
• QUICK ACCESS TO BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL AIRPORTS
• SPECIAL RATES FOR LINK TO THE LONDON AIRPORTS
• DUAL CARRIAGEWAY LINK TO MOTORWAY NETWORK
• RAIL ACCESS TO SHREWSBURY SECURITY ON THE FIELDS AND AT THE ACCOMMODATION
• ALL THIS PLUS THE BRITISH ISLES SOCCER TOURNAMENT ASSOCIATION (BISTA) QUALITY GUARANTEE

"FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME"
Sabrina was the Roman's name for the Goddess of the River Severn which surrounds Shrewsbury in one of its great meanders. At one end it's the English Bridge and at the other it's the Welsh Bridge in this market town on the England/Wales border. Shrewsbury Castle was a centre of Norman and Medieval power in the border regions. The Abbey is Norman, founded in 1083. Street names like Wyle Cop, Mardol, Grope Lane and Butcher Town are found in the medieval town centre with its black and white traditional buildings. Visitors have a choice of the many independent shops and boutiques in the streets or the big name stores in the shopping centres. The town offers all the expected amenities, including a multiplex cinema.

Shropshire's beautiful landscapes are featured in poetry and painting and its "Blue Remembered Hills" attract walkers. In the surrounding area visitors will enjoy the good-food town of Ludlow with its town centre Castle and exciting small shops. The RAF Air Museum at Cosford has an incredible range of aircraft and entry is free! Also popular with youngsters are the Hawkstone Park Follies, where they can explore caves, tunnels, rock clefts and monuments in this astonishing 18th century parkland.

In nearby Telford, where many teams will stay at the University, is World Heritage Ironbridge with its 10 museums that offer a visit full of fun and discovery in any weather.

"FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME"

This may be a cliché but nowhere is it more justified that at Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury School, one of our accommodation locations has a long and proud footballing history dating back to its origins. The oldest copy of the Laws of the Game reside in the school library and played a prominent part in the meetings to codify the game in the mid 19th century.

The new tournament will use top quality fields and accommodation and will operate to the very high standards that will be expected by visiting teams. They will also inherit a rich heritage of players that have been involved with Soccer Destinations over the years and no doubt add to the list of names such as Michael Owen, Shay Given, Steve Gerrard, Mark Delaney, Robbie Fowler, Dieter Hamann, Andriy Shevchenkow, Thomas Rosicky and many others.

SHREWSBURY PRODUCTS ON OFFER

* RESIDENT

A - En-suite at School or University. 2 meals and shuttle (£289 pp 5nights)

B - Standard (not en-suite) including multiple rooms. 2 meals and shuttle (£249 pp 5nights)

C - School Classrooms. Scandinavian style. 2 meals and shuttle (£165 pp 5nights)

D - Homestays

E - Hotel en-suite Single/twin/triple. 2 meals (and shuttle). On request subject to availability

F - Hotel - Special Hotel With Leisure Centre. All en-suite twins/double
No shuttle, suits group with own bus

All resident packages include tournament fees. Normally, at least one game per day.

G - Special arrangements for Pro Clubs (Ask for details)

H - Special arrangements for Girls Teams (£145 pp 5nights)

All parents/supporters not resident with official packages pay normal admission charges - passes available in advance

* NON RESIDENT

I - Non resident teams - 11 a side (up to 18 persons included additional persons extra) (£350 per team)
Special price offered to a limited number of teams.
The £350 reduced to £250 per team. A second and other teams from the same club for just £100 per team.

J - Local non resident teams- 11 a side (up to 18 persons additional persons extra)
Discount for additional teams from same club (£350 per team)

K - Non resident Pro Clubs 11 a side. Details on request

L - Non Resident Girls teams 11 a side (£250 per team - discounts on additional teams)

M - Seven a side teams Playing in festivals package.
Per team group of 13. Additional members extra (£220 5days, £75 1day)

* Supporters and parents of non resident teams pay normal admission charges. Passes available in advance

ACCOMMODATION

We offer accommodation to meet all needs and budgets.

The famous Shrewsbury School offers en suite and standard rooms with meals in its dining room. Large groups may have exclusive use of the boarding houses. There is a swimming pool and tennis courts in its grounds and a fine new Cricket Centre. Grass training areas and astro turf surfaces are available to residents.

The University accommodation at Telford Campus offers good quality single rooms and meals in the dining room. In 2008 its common room with television etc will be available.

For budget prices there will be school classroom accommodation.

New for 2008 is the "Homestay" option. Players and adults are placed with Shrewsbury families.

All package prices will offer 2 meals per day unless only breakfast is needed.
In 2008 lunch will not be included in any packages but can be ordered and paid for in advance, if required. Alternatively there are facilities at the fields.

Official hotel accommodation is available at selected hotels. We will make bookings for this accommodation when requested. The hotel's booking arrangements will have to be observed. Large groups should book early. We can deal with requests for separate accommodation for the playing squads and managers from that of the supporters

Teams taking part in the tournament but not resident in official accommodation are charged a Registration Fee. We must be provided with details of where such teams are staying as these must be approved and are subject to the same rules as all resident teams (e.g. curfews) and will be checked regularly by tournament security patrols.

FIELDS

The tournament is located at the new Shrewsbury Sports Village. It offers a range of sports facilities from a cycling track and an internal climbing wall to astro turf and grass soccer pitches. We expect to use 20-25 fields of various sizes appropriate to ages of teams.

The Village provides changing rooms, a large sports hall and a restaurant. It will house the tournament administration. Additional facilities will be located around the fields.

TRANSPORT

The accommodation and the Sports Village are located close to the fast roads making access easy for non residents and for residents using the Shuttle Bus Service which links accommodation and the fields. In 2008 it will also serve the Shrewsbury Town Centre and make facilities such as cinemas accessible to teams.

COMPETITIONS

Age Groups -

Boys: 1991/1990° : 1992° : 1993° : 1994° : 1995° : 1996° : 1997* (5 days)

° Both Pro/Select and Club Competitions (subject to demand)
* 8 a-side

Girls: Open : 1992/1993 : 1994/1995 : 1996/1997
All 3 day events (Girls play Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th August inclusive).

Festivals for young teams (mixed teams may play) :
1998 : 1999 : 2000
Details soon

Open Age Ladies on 9 & 10 August

NON RESIDENT

Places are available for a number of non resident teams, who travel daily, in all boys and girls competitions. A rate per team will be charged. Two coaches per team are free. All others must pay normal entrance charges.

NOTE. Teams who are not resident in official accommodation, but are resident locally pay a player registration fee.

FESTIVALS

Special Festivals will be available for young sides. They offer 1 or 2 days of football at 8 a-side with suitable small fields and goals. All participants receive a medal as a momento of the occasions. In 2008 there will be both day and evening festivals; ask for days for each age group.

DOUBLE HEADERS

Take a look at our double headers page to combine tournaments into a short tour.

For information on all tournaments please contact us either by email or by completing the web-form >>CLICK<<

soccerdests@btconnect.com

Telephone: 01686 627100 (++44 1686 627100)
Fax: 01686 623813 (++44 1686 623813)

Soccer Destinations
PO Box 102
Newtown, Powys
SY16 2WS
UK

Margaret Hughes