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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
In light of the
six-year absence since the last set of state
qualification rounds held in North Carolina,
NCASA felt it necessary to provide those
interested in 2008 with these insightful
frequently asked questions and answers to assist
with the process going forward. Like with any
renewed situation, there’ll be a learning curve,
but it is our hope to minimize it for teams and
progress toward high-level competition.
Does the NC Adult State Cup champions
automatically qualify for regional tournament of
National Cup?
The simple answer
is no. The USASA National Cup does not recognize
the NC Adult State Cup as a qualifying
tournament for its regional competition, because
the NC Adult State Cup does not comply with
these (and other) requisites:
Why have
recent NC Adult State Cup champions then gone on
to play at the regional tournament of National
Cup as NC’s representative?
NCASA has recognized the recent NC Adult State
Cup champions as the NC representatives to the
regional tournament of National Cup simply
because no other teams have expressed interest
in want to attend.
What if a team other than the NC Adult
State Cup champion expresses interest in the
National Cup?
NCASA, under the
obligation of National Cup rules, would collect
the required fees and paperwork from any team
interested in the tournament and arrange for
qualifying play to determine NC representation.
Why hasn’t
any other team expressed interest before?
Before North
Carolina stepped in to host the 2007 Region 3
National Cup (to help hurricane hit Louisiana),
the regional tournament of National Cup had been
hosted on the west side of the region (Texas,
Mississippi, Louisiana & Oklahoma) for many
years. Teams from states along the Atlantic
coast lost interest in participation due to
economic undertaking and time commitment of the
four-day tournament. Additionally, with a change
in staff at NCASA in 2004 communication in the
event that had been minimized took some time to
be adequately promoted once again. Going back to
pre-2002, North Carolina enjoyed a great
tradition at the National Cup crowning numerous
Regional Champions and two National Finalists.
Why are teams choosing to qualify now?
With four teams having attending in 2007 in
varying divisions, the interest level has now
grown sufficiently once more to necessitate the
National Cup’s requirements for state
qualifications. Teams see this as another
opportunity NCASA can provide for high-level
competition. Plus, with the regional tournament
being hosted in Jacksonville, Florida in 2008
and 2009, the economic feasibility is far
easier.
What does this do to the current NC Adult
State Cup champions?
In light of the incredible tradition and level
of competition that is found in the NC Adult
State Cup competition, NCASA’s executive
committee has agreed to give the NC Adult State
Cup champions in National Cup eligible divisions
automatic entrance into state qualification if
they so choose to participate. These teams will
have their National Cup entrance fees paid by
NCASA.
Do teams that want to go to regionals need
to enter the NC Adult State Cup if this is going
to be the way advancement to the regional
tournament of National Cup is handled from now
on?
Technically
speaking, the answer is no. But the benefit
specific to National Cup is that the NC Adult
State Cup will give them the chance to play for
an automatic entrance to National Cup
qualification. All while enjoying great
competition in a very well run event that is
still less expense than any other adult soccer
tournament in the region.
What is the
format of play for the state qualifications of
National Cup?
Single
elimination, with seeding based on NC Adult
State Cup results.
What are
the total costs to enter National Cup?
At the state
qualification round, teams will have to submit
with their application and roster their National
Cup entry fee, plus half the referee fees (four
officials in a crew) for each match they advance
to. The eventual winner/recognized state
representative will have to provide a $500
refundable travel bond to the Regional
Commissioner (through the state office) to
assure that the team attends the regional
tournament.
When and
where will the matches be played?
The locations of
the matches will be arranged in consideration of
availability, costs and
proximity to teams entered in the competition.
The matches will occur during the time period
between March 15 and April 27, 2008. NCASA MUST
designate official State Representatives for
each of the National Cup divisions by May 1, in
accordance with National Cup rules and
requirements.
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