BARBOURSVILLE — The U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships tournament coming to Barboursville July 2-7 needs a host of volunteers.

The tournament is expected to bring about 14,000 people to the Tri-State, and will pit 280 teams from 13 states against each other at newly renovated fields at the Cabell County 4-H camp in Barboursville and the YMCA Kennedy Center on W.Va. 2.

Opening ceremonies will be July 2 at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, then each competing team will play one game a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to determine which teams advance in the tournament.

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, contact Kheng Yap-McGuire by phone or fax at 304-525-6042 or by e-mail at khengmcguire@aol.com or Anne Hildebrand by phone at 304-529-2335 or by e-mail at annehild005@msn.com.

Here are some of the volunteer positions available:

Thursday, July 2

Goody bag distribution: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

Opening ceremony and parade: 1 to 6:15 p.m. at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards Football Stadium. Duties include: Post signage around concourse and stands; direct players to correct sections and rows. When parade is about to start, help line up the states in order; clean stands and retrieve signage for reuse in 2010. Additional duties serve as flag carriers; control teams on the field and direct them to exits; maintain control of flags and state signs. Volunteers may leave after cleanup about 6:15 p.m. Another set of volunteers will man stadium entrances; hand out freebies at end of ceremony; man exits to thank attendees and provide information to interstate/hotel/restaurants, etc. More volunteers will line contestants up for soccer juggling contest and direct parking.

Friday through Tuesday, July 7

Soccer field work: 7 to 11 a.m. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 3-5, at YMCA Kennedy Center Scott Orthopedic Fields, (U 12 8 v 8; U 19); Barboursville Park (all other age groups); Barboursville Park 4-H side (all other age groups). Volunteer shifts for Monday, July 6, are 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Barboursville Park. Shifts for the finals on Tuesday, July 7, are 7 to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here are the tasks for those shifts:

Field Marshals: Report game progress, scores and communicate with Area Coord to report any problems; Contact support staff, hydration, maintenance, medical, transportation and security as needed.

Hydration: Fill and monitor for refill all water and Gatorade coolers in area. Assist field marshals and support staff as needed. Must be able to lift the coolers.

Maintenance: Check goals, nets, corner flags, field lines and repair as needed. Check trash cans and empty as needed. Monitor porta-toilets, restrooms and report problems. Assist field marshals and support staff as needed.

Transportation: Assist those in need of transport from parking areas to fields. Transport referees & volunteers as needed. 18 years old and older.

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