Hockey’s brightest young stars will get the opportunity to shine at a venue known for making dreams come true when USA Field Hockey kicks off its newest event: Disney’s Field Hockey Showcase, 9-11 February at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Buena Vista, Florida

The inaugural event features 900 athletes on 56 teams in under-14, under-16 and under-18 age divisions competing for team trophies, individual medals and the attention of a gallery of college coaches gathered to evaluate the talent on display.

“USA Field Hockey is committed to providing top-level events for our athletes, coaches, umpires and fans,” said USA Field Hockey Asst. Executive Director for Events Karen Collins. “With Disney’s Field Hockey Showcase, we have a unique destination event with a world-class venue to provide yet another opportunity to participate and excel in our sport.”

The tournament field at includes clubs with long histories of success at USA Field Hockey tournaments including 2006 National Hockey Festival champions Lanco Premier (Pa.), Hollywood Field Hockey (Calif.) and New Heights (N.J.) in the under-19 division and WC Eagles (Pa.) and Jersey Intensity (N.J.)  in the Under-16 division. Representing 13 states and Canada, teams may consist of the core of a high school team, an elite club travel squad or a team put together specifically for the Disney event.

The teams will make the trek to Disney for a February outdoor tournament opportunity not generally available on the USA Field Hockey calendar. The outdoor game traditionally gives way to the indoor version of the sport from January to March with USA Field Hockey hosting its annual National Indoor Tournament, March 9-11 in Virginia Beach, Va.

A familiar destination for USA Field Hockey events, Florida has hosted the annual National Hockey Festival on 12 occasions including the 1981, ’82 and ’94 event in Orlando.

Games for Disney’s Field Hockey Showcase begin at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 and continue throughout the tournament with start times on Saturday and Sunday scheduled for 8 a.m. at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.  The U14 championship game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday followed by the U16 championship at noon and the U19 final at 2 p.m.

A 220-acre facility in Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex plays host to more than 170 amateur and professional events each year including spring training for baseball’s Atlanta Braves,  training camp for football’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Disney Golf Classic and college basketball’s Old Spice Classic.

Schedules, teams, rosters and results for Disney’s Field Hockey Showcase are available on the USA Field Hockey website at www.usafieldhockey.com

Source: USA Field Hockey