For two days, the Southern Soccer Showcase will bring together the top college women players in the country as well as the young club understudies who aspire to one day join them.

It’s a dynamic of soccer apprenticeship that’s unique to a single tournament and embodies much of what the game should be about.

“Our tournament is a great opportunity for youth players to see the best college soccer has to offer and also to be showcased to college programs and coaches,” said Pete Polonsky, the Director of Operations for the Twin City Youth Soccer Association that puts on the event. “This will be our third year putting this on and it really is a special event.”

The Southern Soccer Showcase takes place April 10-11 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. And while it will feature girls U15-U18, the headliners will be of the collegiate variety. The women’s ACC spring tournament will run in conjunction with the showcase bringing together the region’s best from club to college.

The ACC lineup includes the national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, Wake Forest, Duke, North Carolina State(w), Virginia Tech, Clemson, Virginia and Miami(w).

What’s more, a dozen other college programs from the region will be present, adding to the excitement and giving more opportunity for player exposure.

It’s an invaluable treat for these young club players to be able to watch their heroes live and perform for them as well. The showcase’s schedule separates the two skill levels so that each can be highlighted in their own way.

Further implementing the college presence with the event is the presence of college coaching seminars. This allows parents and players to personally interact with the leaders of top programs while inquiring about college preparation and the recruiting process.

The state-of-the-art BB&T Soccer Park features a 6,000 square foot field house that facilitates these informative seminars. Fifteen pristine fields underscore the competitive field that, on the club side, will feature plenty of regional and state title winning clubs from around the country.  

“It’s a great area and the BB&T Park is an ideal place to watch a match. There are plenty of elevated places for perfect viewing,” Polonsky said.

Something that will appeal as much to the players of the event as it will the spectators. After all, the Southern Soccer Showcase is that unique event where a player becomes a fan.