The 11th Annual Ukrainian Nationals Memorial Weekend Tournament: Tryzub hosts 174 teams.

By Eugene A. Luciw, J.D.

174 teams from throughout the Atlantic seaboard gathered at the Ukrainian American Sport Center, Horsham, PA, for the Ukrainian Nationals Eleventh Annual Memorial Weekend youth soccer tournament. Play commenced Friday under the lights at Tryzubivka and progressed throughout Saturday and Sunday at Tryzubivka (including its recently installed artificial turf field) and four additional venues.
           
The competition was fierce. The various soccer clubs and leagues had undeniably entered their strongest teams. It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian Chornomorska Sitch, from Whippany, New Jersey, won the U-17 boys’ championship, despite facing very powerful opponents. This is the Sitch team’s second win in as many years.

On Saturday night, the Ukrainian Nationals hosted a “Picnic under the Stars”. The teams, parents and guests enjoyed a marvelous evening of fun to the accompaniment of popular Philadelphia musician and singer-songwriter, Dan Rendine and a live dance band, “Fat Uncle Jack”.

More than just periodic violent rain storms tested the tournament committee’s contingency planning, ingenuity, nerves and flexibility, but the tournament continued and ended with surprisingly limited affect by the weather. Under the leadership of Tournament Director, Cheryl Mannato, the tournament committee met all obstacles and moved the play and a mass of players, spectators, referees, vehicular traffic, field marshals, vendors and volunteers with exquisite precision. They stocked and re-stocked each location with appropriate concessions, supplies and conveniences.  

It takes leadership, dedication, organization, communication, flexibility, contingency planning, cohesiveness and many months of sheer hard work to organize and to execute an event of this magnitude. Numerous guests literally marveled at the excellence of Tryzub’s facilities and the unparalleled organization and appeal of all aspects of the tournament.

Said Mannato: “… it takes a group of dedicated, intelligent and talented individuals to work together towards one goal.....and we do that well! To the newer members of our committee.....we are glad you decided to join us and your help has only made our tournament better! I have said this many times when talking about … my friends on this committee, …I am very proud to be a part of this awesome group of individuals.
           
Each champion and finalist player received a custom-designed trophy or medal with an engraved Tryzub and an explanation of its special significance to the Ukrainian community.

Listed below are the results of the tournament: