Ukrop Park named possible team base camp in USA bid for 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups

Ukrop Park, home of the Richmond Kickers, has been identified as a potential team base camp to be included in the United States bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™. The sports complex has been chosen as a possible training camp to host one of the 32 competing soccer nations, if the USA is awarded the honor to host either the 2018 or 2022 events. Team Base Camps will provide the visiting teams with a ‘home away from home’ and fitness and training facilities to help them in their final preparations for the biggest sporting event in the world.
 
“The opportunity for the Richmond community to be a part of a World Cup experience would be amazing,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “The World Cup brings with it an energy, passion and atmosphere that no other sporting event can rival.  The possibility to have some of the best soccer players in the world based in Richmond and training at Ukrop Park would be a wonderful achievement for the region.” 
 
If the USA is successful in its bid, the world’s most elite athletes may be able to benefit from Ukrop Park’s state-of-the-art facilities including six lighted athletic fields, including two environmentally friendly Sportexe synthetic turf fields and a full-scale aquatics center.
 
“We are thrilled that the committee has identified the Richmond region and Ukrop Park as a potential training base camp for their bid,” adds Rob Ukrop, President of the Richmond Kickers Board of Directors. The future development of Ukrop Park, in partnership with Chesterfield County, will provide an ideal venue for a top national team in the world. We are elated at the possibility of hosting Brazil, Germany, Mexico, or another World Cup qualifier at our state-of-the-art facility.”
 
FIFA is slated to make the decision and announce the host nations for both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups on December 2, 2010.  The United States recently announced 18 host cities to be included in the bid documentation that is due to FIFA on May 14. The 18 potential host cities are Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington DC.
 
About Ukrop Park
The 34.5-acre sports complex Ukrop Park serves as the home of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club.  The environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art complex features six lighted athletic fields and a full-scale aquatics center.  Ukrop Park is conveniently located in Chesterfield County at the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Route 10 and utilizes the latest technology in Musco lighting and Sportexe synthetic turf.