WILLIAMSBURG — On the heels of its first-year success, the Keeper’s Cup Soccer Tournament, held in memory of Conner Guido and Luke Messick to bring awareness to distracted driving, returns starting March 11.
Guido and Messick were both soccer players who were killed in distracted driving automobile accidents. The tournament will bring 12 high school varsity and junior varsity soccer teams together to play against each other.
Scheduled from March 11-14 at Warhill Sports Complex, the tournament will take place over a three-night span, with more than 600 athletes competing for the Keeper’s Cup trophy.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with several safe driving organizations, including DriveSmart VA, the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, the James City County Police Department, the Christopher King Foundation, Faces of Heroes, Mallory’s Movement, MMBT/VDOT, James City County Fire and EMS, AAA Tidewater, VDOT Williamsburg, Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), C&F Bank and State Farm Becky Ringley.
“One of the ways we can prioritize safety off the field is by encouraging our student-athletes to participate in the onsite interactive activities with first responders and safe driving advocates. These booths will provide valuable information and resources geared to educate and empower our young athletes to make responsible decisions behind the wheel. We strongly encourage all players to take advantage of this opportunity by attending all the drive-safe booths throughout the event,” Tammy Guido, event creator, shared.
Also onsite will also be a violence prevention trailer, a monster truck, a safety service truck, a fire truck/EMS vehicle, a pedal car course and a dump truck.
Guido encourages athletes to visit all the booths at the tournament.
“We believe that by coming together as a community we can make a positive impact, not only on the field, but also in promoting safe driving habits and fostering a supportive environment for our young athletes,” Guido said.
New this year, athletes and spectators can bring gently used soccer sportswear to help Messick’s foundation support its soccer team in Ghana.
“As part of this year’s tournament, Luke Messick Futbol Charities will be collecting gently used shoes, shirts, and shorts for our orphan soccer team in Ghana. To date, we have collected and distributed 500 pounds of equipment for these players in Africa,” Guido shared.
Spectators are asked to make a donation to attend the event, either $10 a day or $20 for a three-day pass. Passes can be purchased online.
For more information on the tournament, visit either connergweedo.com or lukemessickfc.com.
