BARBOURSVILLE -- Volunteers are still needed as 5,000 players and an estimated 16,000 parents, coaches and refs swarm the Tri-State for the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships in July.

About 280 soccer teams from 13 states will compete during the six-day event that begins July 2. Among the states represented are New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware.

Games will be played at the Barboursville Soccer Complex inside the Barboursville City Park and the YMCA Kennedy Center on W.Va. 2.

Craig Warner, chairman of the tournament host committee, said volunteers are still needed for the Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Volunteer tasks include placing dinner reservations, giving directions around the Tri-State and suggesting activities and day trips. Warner said an important quality for a volunteer is their ability to talk to people and help them get to their desired location or find an activity they're interested in.

"We want people that are extremely familiar with the area and can give precise directions," Warner said.

Warner said only about 10 people have volunteered for the visitors bureau. About 40 positions, figuring each person volunteers just one day, are needed to staff for the six-day tournament. Visitors bureau volunteers will be set up at both fields and the bureau headquarters in Huntington.

Kheng Yap-McGuire, volunteer coordinator for the tournament, said they're also still looking for volunteers to help with the actual tournament. Many of the 100 positions needed for opening ceremonies on July 2 at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington have already been filled.

Tournament volunteers are encouraged to participate in one of the volunteer workshops before the tournament. Volunteers have their choice of workshops at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, or Wednesday, July 1.

While she's pleased with the number of volunteers she's gotten so far, Yap-McGuire said a lot more are needed to help with hydration, transportation, parking and field maintenance.

Yap-McGuire said many of the positions needed for the first few days of the tournament have been filled but are looking for volunteers for the semi-finals and the finals on Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7, respectively. Those have been difficult to fill, Yap-McGuire said, because that's when most people go back to work.

Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer with the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau should contact Craig Warner at 304-525-7333. Contact Kheng Yap-McGuire at 304-525-6042 to volunteer for soccer tournament.

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