The National Sports Center

The National Sports Center (NSC) is the largest soccer complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records and The staff of the NSC will bring all of their knowledge and experience when it plays host to the 2010 Bingham Cup®. Entertaining over 3.7 million visitors last year alone, and with over 50 soccer fields, a 8500 seat stadium, a cycling velodrome and the Schwann’s Super Rink, the NSC has played host to many events. Included in this list, are the U.S. Olympic Festival, the International Special Olympics, the Olympic and World Championship Cycling Trials, the North American Indigenous Games, the World Broomball Championship, the Women’s World Hockey Championships, the Junior Hockey National Championship and the ISI World Skating Championship, U.S. Collegiate Lacrosse Championships. Rugby events hosted include The Men and Women National Teams in full International Matches, The USA Rugby Women’s National Finals, The Women’s National All Star Tournament, and numerous Rugby Tournaments from Senior to Youth levels. Being a destination for many sports and sport teams, NSC is proud to add the Bingham Cup™ 2010 to this list.

Bingham Cup 2010 will be played on the 4 “A” fields right in the front of campus. Water, sports drinks, ice, medical staff, and emergency transportation will be available at all the fields. The finals of each division being played Sunday will be in the Bowl. It is a premier field that has seen the USA versus Canada, and the Women’s National Championship Game in the past.

The major theme that permeates the programming at the NSC is diversity – diversity in sport offerings, ages of participants, income levels and visitorship from around the world. The NSC is a priceless, innovative and unique in the world and has all the qualities, skill, and enthusiasm to host The Bingham Cup.

For more information, please visit the National Sports Center

Tournament Structure

Friday – June 18, 2010

Match 1

Teams will be seeded into four divisions (Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield) based on various criteria, including final standings from Bingham Cup 2008. Exceptions to seedings will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Bingham Cup 2010 Organizing Committee with consultation from the Bingham Cup Liaison Committee. The decisions of the Bingham Cup 2010 Organizing Committee are final. All teams will play an initial first match to better determine the division breakdown for Bingham Cup 2010.

Match 2

After Match 1, the top and bottom four teams will be given a bye for Match 2. The other teams will compete in Match 2 to finalize the composition of each division. After Match 2 (the second match played on Friday), the divisions will be set. Beginning with Match 3, the tournament will follow a traditional “knockout” structure. Seeding is determined by USA Rugby rules and by the judgement of the Bingham Cup 2010 Organizing Committee.

Saturday – June 19, 2010

Match 3

Teams that win Match 3 will be competing for 1st – 4th place within their given division.
Teams that lose Match 3 will be competing for 5th – 8th place within their given division.

Match 4

Teams who win both Match 3 and 4 will compete for 1st or 2nd place within their given division.
Teams who win Match 3, but lost Match 4 will compete for 3rd or 4th place within their given division.
Teams who lost Match 3, but win Match 4 will compete for 5th or 6th place within their given division.
Teams who lost Match 3 and Match 4 will compete for 7th or 8th place within their given division.

Sunday – 20 June, 2010

Match 5

The last match will be championship and consolation games. It will determine the final ranks for all teams at Bingham Cup 2010.

Medical

Med-techs and physio-therapists from the Institute for Athletic Medicine (IAM) will be available throughout the tournament. IAM will provide two med-techs to be “on-field” at all times. In addition, there will be three physio-therapists on-duty at all times during the tournament in a separate tented facility adjacent to the tournament pitches. The Institute for Athletic Medicine also maintains an on-site facility at the National Sports Center for more care and support as needed. It should be noted here that the Institute for Athletic Medicine has a long history of providing med-tech and physio-therapy support for the Minnesota Rugby Union, and is fully prepared to provide the on-site support necessary for a tournament of this size.

In the event of a more serious injury, the organizing committee has arranged to have an ambulance stationed proximate to the rugby pitches. This ambulance will be staffed by fully trained Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition, should emergency room services be necessary, there is an Allina Hospital available five minutes from the National Sports Center.

Non-emergency physio-therapy and massage services will be available at the National Sports Center. Physio and massage therapists will be available on-site to provide taping prior to match play, and sports therapy massages throughout the day. Non-emergency medical supplies, such as pre-wrap and tape, must be provided by the player/team.

Medical Insurance

Under USA Rugby regulations, every player who intends to play during the 2010 Bingham Cup Tournament will be required to sign and turn in a USA Rugby Liability Waiver form. USA Rugby also requires each player to provide proof that they have sufficient private insurance to cover any emergency medical expenses that may result from play. The organizing committee will require each team liaison to provide signed, completed USA Rugby Liability Waiver forms for each player on their roster. No player will be allowed to take the pitch without the completed USA Rugby Liability Waiver form on-file with the Tournament Director.

The United States does not provide “national health services”. Accordingly, each player from outside the United States will be required to show verification they have sufficient individual medical coverage, and the coverage applies to sports-related injuries received in the U.S.

Tent City

Tent City at Bingham Cup 2010 will be limited to players and support staff only. It will be located on field U2. Each team will receive a 20’ x 20’ area in the circus-style tent for their belongings and pre-game needs. A security guard stationed at the entrance at all time to ensure only players and staff are admitted.








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