To celebrate Welcoming Week this year, the city once again invites the community to participate in and watch a soccer tournament on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Welcoming Week, Sept. 14-23, is an annual series of events across the country to celebrate inclusive communities. This is a movement of Welcoming America, a network of communities that are committed to making everyone feel like they belong, believing that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors to and vital to the success of their communities.
The tournament, with support from local organizations and individuals in the soccer community, will take place at the Riverside Park fields, 650 Riverside Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is at the school and the playground is open for families. Free snacks and drinks will be available.
The number of teams will be limited to eight total; teams will be accepted by application on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams will play four versus four, and seven players maximum per team are allowed. The team entry fee is $40, made payable to the City of Battle Creek.
There are two age groups this year – U30 and 30+. A U30 team may have one person over 30, and a 30+ team may have one person under 30.
The winning team in each age group will receive a trophy, and 80 percent of the age group’s team entry fees.
Those with questions should contact Jacob Schacht, assistant to the city manager, at 269-966-3378 or jrschacht@battlecreekmi.gov. The application deadline is 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, to the City Manager’s Office, room 206 at City Hall, 10 N. Division St.
The city also still is looking for referees for these games, so anyone interested in serving as a ref also should contact Schacht.
Get the application on the city’s website, at http://battlecreekmi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5180/2018-Welcoming-Week-Soccer-Tournie-Application, or navigate to battlecreekmi.gov, then scroll down to City Spotlight.
The City Commission in April 2016 approved a resolution to affirm Battle Creek as a Welcoming City, recognizing that inclusion of all members of the community is essential to meeting the city’s mission of ensuring a safe, prosperous, and culturally enriched community.