The 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship will create an economic impact of $4.475 million for the Canton area, according to the Canton-Stark County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Football’s first junior world championship brings the eight strongest national football teams, aged 19 and under, spanning four continents to Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium from June 27-July 5. Games will be played on June 27, July 1, July 4 and July 5 featuring national teams from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States. CHUCK KYLE of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School is the head coach of USA Football’s Junior National Team, representing the U.S.
Research conducted by the Canton-Stark County Convention and Visitors Bureau indicates that nearly $5 million will be generated for the region in part by the following influx of visitors:
• 360 football players aged 19 and under from eight nations (45 per team)
• 80 coaches from eight nations (10 per team)
• 32 football officials from IFAF’s 52 member nations
• Approximately 1,500 team family members and guests
• Approximately 50 television production and media personnel
• More than 40,000 fans attending games at Fawcett Stadium
Estimated spending directly accountable to the IFAF Junior World Championship:
Spectator Spending $2,500,000
Out-of-Town Guest Spending $1,200,000
Event Expenses $600,000
Miscellaneous Spending $95,000
Participant Spending $80,000
TOTAL $4,475,000
“This report demonstrates in very clear terms the immense economic benefit that the IFAF Junior World Championship is bringing to Canton and our surrounding communities,” said JOHN KISTE, Canton-Stark County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director. “We look forward to a tremendous and historic tournament in a city and region well-accustomed to authoring football ‘firsts.’”
“We’ve always known that football is America’s favorite sport and it will be extremely exciting to see the same passion we have for the game in the eyes and hearts of young players and coaches from four continents,” said IFAF Junior World Championship Host Committee Chairman BOB BELDEN, president of the Canton-based Belden Brick Company. “Aside from adding to Canton’s unparalleled football history, these 12 games endow our area with financial muscle during a time when Fawcett Stadium does not traditionally host events.”
The study defines “economic impact” as direct spending (visitor spending with local tourism-related businesses) and indirect spending (additional local spending that occurs due to a “chain reaction” from the direct spending, such as wages paid to tourism industry workers).
