Other sports groups need voice at the table: AYSC

July 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

(Re: Hotel and sports facilities top tourism priorities. July 16)

Great article on sports tourism and the lack of accommodations within the Aurora boundaries.
However, other interested parties and organizations such as the Aurora Youth Soccer Club (AYSC) and the Aurora Minor Hockey Association, which is not affiliated with Sport Aurora, need to be given the opportunity to be at the forefront of any discussions regarding the expansion of sport tourism.
The AYSC draws thousands of people to Aurora during the multitude of events we organize and run each year. We host four large recreational and competitive tournaments from May through September, and seven Provincial level soccer events drawing over 400 teams, 6,000 participants, and more than 10,000 family members to our region.
More than 75% of the participants come to Aurora each year from all over Ontario providing a significant boost to our local economy.
It is imperative that other sport organizations, including Aurora Youth Soccer and Aurora Minor Hockey, are also given a genuine opportunity to engage in the formation of an effective sport tourism strategy.

Spencer Kanen
Aurora Youth Soccer Club