At Tuesday’s meeting, Columbia County Commissioners approved the contract to host the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship at Blanchard Woods Park Nov. 13-19.
According to Columbia County recommendation sheet, 12 teams with approximately 250 student-athletes will travel from across the country to Columbia County to compete.
This is the second time the county will the host NJCAA Championship and the fifth collegiate soccer National Championship hosted in the last 18 months.
Columbia County is expecting nearly $750,000 in economic impact from the event, according to the recommendation sheet.
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Last year, according to Public Information Officer Cassidy Harris, the 2021 NJCAA Women’s Soccer National Championships had an economic impact of $848,896. The county also hosted the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, which had an economic impact of over $550,000.
This tournament features 12 teams with eight district champions and four at-large selections.
The seven-day tournament will continue from Nov. 13-19 with the final day being the National Championship game.
Tickets for the NJCAA Women’s National Championship are 10$ per day or 40$ for a tournament pass.
You can purchase tickets are at https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/wsoc/div1/index. You can also purchase tickets on-site at Blanchard Woods Park with cash or credit card.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
