Golden Goal Youth Soccer Tournament Park
Golden Goal
Golden Goal Tournament Park Parents Guide
Golden Goal Tournament Park Parents Guide

The Golden Goal Guide
Helpful Information For Your Trip To Golden Goal

Click here for Alernative Page with Quick Links on the top to access information below

Getting to Golden Goal

Golden Goal is located at 495 Goodman Road, Fort Ann, NY 12827 – 518-639-4067
10 minutes from exit 20 of Interstate 87 (Northway)
From Interstate 87 take Route 149 east to left onto Goodman Rd (or left onto Nicholson Rd then left onto Goodman Rd)

For directions click here.

Arriving at Golden Goal

  • Admission and parking is always free
  • Once passing the Guardhouse, cars should park in Lot #1 or Lot #2 as directed
  • Buses should drop off passengers in front of the Sport Park Entrance and park as directed
  • Only coaches and referees with appropriate credentials are permitted in the rear parking lot, and no cars will be allowed to enter the Athlete Village.

Checking into the Athlete Village

  • Cars and buses arriving with participants and checking into the Athlete Village will be directed, upon entry, as to the baggage handling situation
  • A clubhouse number will be assigned to your team
  • Prior to arrival at Golden Goal, all luggage should be tagged with player/coach/chaperone’s name, address and phone number. Golden Goal staff will assign a clubhouse number, tag luggage, and drop off at the designated luggage station near parking lot #2.
  • The luggage will be transported to the designated clubhouse by Golden Goal staff. The participants with their family can walk up Hall of Fame Way to visit their accommodations in the Athlete Village. In some cases you will be allowed to drive back to the Athlete Village entrance to drop the luggage off and then promptly return your vehicle to parking lot #1 or lot #2.
  • A $200 security deposit is required from each team to insure against damage within the clubhouses. Rules are posted in each clubhouse and the Golden Goal staff will monitor daily to determine if the rules are being adhered to by each team.

While staying in the Athlete Village

Each team is assigned to their own private clubhouse that holds a combination of 20 people (players and coaches). In some cases arrangements can be made for additional players within selected clubhouses.
  • Opposite Gender Coach

    Opposite gender coaches are assigned a separate clubhouse and bathhouse within the Athlete Village. If an assistant coach is not of the same gender, it is required that an appropriate parent stay in the clubhouse for the week and serve as a chaperone for the team. The chaperones are treated as an assistant coach for the team.
  • Bathhouses

    Near each clubhouse, is a complete Bathhouse with showers, toilets, sinks and mirrors. Each participant and coach needs to bring toiletries, a bathing suit (to be worn from the clubhouse into the shower), waterproof footwear and towels. The attire at Golden Goal throughout the week is casual and active with the potential for warmer clothes at night and rain apparel for inclement weather. Golden Goal is an environmentally conscious facility and conservation and recycling are high priorities. We ask that all participants respect this by limiting shower times (2-3 minutes) to conserve energy.
  • Laundry

    A full service laundry service is available with a third party laundromat who will pick up the participants clothes, wash, dry fold, and deliver the next morning to those interested in this additional fee service. It is strongly recommended that all players, coaches and chaperones intending to use this service clearly mark all clothing with name tags prior to arriving at Golden Goal. Golden Goal will not be responsible for any lost or damaged clothing. As an alternative there are several laundromats within 15 minutes of Golden Goal for those coaches or chaperones that wish to complete this function on their own. It is recommended to bring extra money for those wishing laundry service during the week.
  • Kitchen and Dining Pavilion

    A full service kitchen operates in the Athlete Village serving 3 meals per day except on transition days (Saturday and Friday). A healthy, well-balanced, diverse and tasty menu is provided throughout the week and special consideration for participants with dietary restrictions are carefully accommodated. Special dietary needs must be submitted to Golden Goal at least 2 weeks prior to arrival. Adjacent to the kitchen is the Athlete Dining Pavilion where all meals are served buffet style during scheduled hours for each team. All teams must attend the meals together and go through the food service line together. All participants and coaches are responsible for returning their trays, plates, silverware and cups to the appropriate busing station and disposing of the trash and waste appropriately.
  • Extra Money

    While Golden Goal provides all lodging, meals and play in its inclusive pricing, it is recommended that each participant bring extra money. Cash, credit or debit cards can be used for purchases at the "Snack Attack" and "Village Café" concessions, at the Golden Goal Arcade, at the “Golden Gear” retail and memorabilia shop and for laundry service. ATM’s will also be located in the village and parent pavilion area.
  • "Snack Attack"

    The Snack Attack is a full service concession, operating adjacent to the Parent Pavilion. The Snack Attack will be open throughout the day (during game times) for players, coaches, chaperones, families and other spectators to purchase a wide assortment of food and beverage products at reasonable prices. It is highly recommended that participants bring extra money for purchases at the "Snack Attack".
  • "Village Cafe"

    During the evening hours and selected other time periods the new "Village Café" will be open to participants and coaches staying in the Athlete Village only. The "Village Café" is across from the dining pavilion and will offer light food and snacks at reasonable prices. Players, coaches and teams will often congregate at the "Village Café" after games to have a light bite, mingle with the other players and teams and reminisce about the day’s activities. It is also recommended that participants bring extra money for purchases at the "Village Café".
  • Arcade

    In order to provide a little diversity in entertainment during the week, the Golden Goal Arcade is open to the participants under the supervision of the coach or chaperone. The Arcade has a wide variety of age appropriate video and interactive games. The Golden Goal Arcade accepts coins and bills. There will be a change machine located in the Arcade and ATM’s located in the Athletes Village and the “Golden Gear” retail shop.
  • "Golden Gear" Retail Shop

    Located in the Parent Pavilion, immediately adjacent to all the fields, is the “Golden Gear” Retail and Memorabilia Shop. Golden Gear stocks a wide variety of logo apparel and merchandise for players, coaches, parents and spectators to purchase and remember their “experience of a lifetime” at Golden Goal. Most players will want to take some piece of Golden Goal home with them so it is recommended that extra money be brought for purchases at “Golden Gear”. “Golden Gear” also accepts credit and debit cards and an ATM will be located within the store.
  • Medical

    Golden Goal provides 24-hour medical services provided by nurses and Emergency Medical Technicians who manage all immediate medical needs and link with the area emergency squads and Glens Falls Hospital for situations requiring more intense attention. All medication that has been prescribed for an individual participant is to be left with the medical staff who will assume responsibility for dispensing according to the prescription. The medication needs to be clearly marked with the name and dosage and will be returned to the participant upon check out of the Athlete Village. The medical staff will also be located in the Parent Pavilion during tournament games to directly attend to injuries during activities.
  • Security

    Golden Goal is under 24 hour supervision by trained security staff whose main focus is the safety of all participants, coaches, and chaperones. Security personnel are also assigned throughout the park at various times to insure safe movement and enjoyable conditions for all park guests.
  • Locks and Lockers

    Each clubhouse has a front door that can be locked while the team is away from the clubhouse. Upon request, the coach/chaperone will be provided with a key during registration and will be their responsibility to control access to their private clubhouse. Each clubhouse is also supplied with a limited number of lockers to secure personal valuable with a combination or key lock that participants are responsible for providing. A $20 fee for lost keys will be deducted from the security deposit.
  • Participants leaving the Park

    Participants are allowed to leave the park only after being signed out with the security staff by a parent or coach/chaperone who has been granted permission by the parents or guardian of each participant.
  • Checking out of the Athlete Village

    On the day of departure the Park security and maintenance staff will inspect each clubhouse to confirm no damage was inflicted and confirm that the security deposit is returned. A firm time is established for check out and must be observed in order for the park to be prepared for the next event scheduled in the park.

Entering the Sport Park

All visitors to Golden Goal must enter the sports park through the Hall of Fame Way entrance opposite parking lot #1 and Lot #2. Absolutely no food or coolers are allowed to be brought into the Sport Park or Athlete Village. Golden Goal Tournament Park offers full concession at the “Snack Attack” with a wide variety of food and beverage choices to satisfy all tastes.

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While in the Sport Park

Most activities can be observed from the comfort of the Parent Pavilion that provides shade and protection against inclement weather. The tent structure is grounded for lightning strikes, however, it is important to stay at least 10 feet away from the support poles and the edges of the structure during lightning storms.
  • Parents Pavilion

    The Parent Pavilion offers comfortable lounging and dining locations and is situated between the Retail Store and the "Snack Attack" concession building. The center four synthetic fields can be easily seen from the Parent Pavilion and teams often visit the Pavilion between games or to enjoy a snack from the "Snack Attack" or to purchase Golden Goal apparel or memorabilia at the “Golden Gear” retail store.
  • Game Spectators

    In addition to viewing games from the confines and shade of the Parent Pavilion, you can view games from the sideline opposite the player benches on each field.
  • Tournament Central

    Game schedules, scores, and tournament information is provided in the Tournament Center within the Parent Pavilion
  • "Snack Attack" featuring the Golden Goal Grille

    Adjacent to the Parent Pavilion is the "Snack Attack" offering a wide variety of foods and refreshments throughout the day. During selected hours each day, the Golden Goal Grille will operate providing barbeque favorites. Pepsi/Gatorade vending machines are located in various locations in the Park and Athlete Village providing cold Pepsi brand beverages on demand.
  • "Golden Gear" Retail Store

    The Golden Goal Retail Store located opposite the "Snack Attack" and next to the Parent Pavilion carries an array of apparel and ancillary items offering a memento of the visit to Golden Goal. Credit and debit cards are accepted and there is also an ATM on the premises. The Retail Store is air conditioned for a comfortable shopping experience.
  • Photos

    The Golden Goal Photography Service operates during all events and captures exciting imagery that is made available to participants in a wide variety of formats including standard 5" x 7" and 8" x 10" prints, customized collages and large format posters as well as premium items with selected imagery. Viewing stations for all photographs taken in the park can be accessed at the Photography Kiosks in the Golden Goal Retail Store. The Golden Goal photo library is also available online at goldengoalsoccer.com and goldengoallacrosse.com.
  • Challenge Course

    The Golden Goal Challenge Course has been specially designed to promote teamwork through cooperation and communication in a fun and challenging yet safe setting. All of the stations in the Golden Goal Challenge Course were set up to allow the coach to lead the team through specific activities with a designated message that highlight the importance of working together to achieve more than is attainable alone. The Golden Goal Challenge Course is open only for team training and all teams and players must be accompanied by a certified trainer or coach.
  • Youth Playground

    A playground within view of the Parent Pavilion is designed to have a safe and fun activity for siblings of Golden Goal participants and provide a level of freedom for parents to watch the games and still have their child under a watchful eye.
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Golden Goal Programming

Golden Goal programs are carefully designed to challenge participants at an appropriate level and communicate the importance of attitude and effort in sports. Activities are selected that are developmental for both the individual participant and their team as a whole. Although the Golden Goal venue is designed for teams, attention is placed on each individual and how they play into the team concept.
  • Opening Ceremonies

    Events that have Opening Ceremonies will be held on the Championship Field that offers ample seating for parents and family members. We showcase the participants during these events and want the families to share in the ceremony of introducing the athletes that will participate in the competitive games and develop their competitive spirit during the ensuing daily events.
  • Tournament Games

    All tournament games are designed to provide a World Class feel for the participants in a friendly competitive environment. All attempts are made to equalize the competition to give all participants a positive experience regardless of the score in the games. We encourage everyone (coaches, players, referees, and spectators) to respect opponents, honor the game, and enjoy the competition as a challenge of testing skills and demonstrating teamwork.
  • Referees

    Referees are a major part of the developmental programming at Golden Goal and they work in tandem with tournament officials and coaches to provide an enriching experience for all participants. Many referees are also guest referees that reside in the park and participate in all activities as an integral part of the Golden Goal experience. We thank them for their dedication and effort and hope that everyone involved attending the games treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
  • Closing Ceremonies

    The Closing Ceremonies are a chance for family members to observe the conclusion of the activities and the recognition of the work that has been exerted by the participants and coaches during their stay at Golden Goal. The recap of activity and the recognition of achievement highlight the festivities where it is positioned that everyone is a winner by trying their hardest to be the best that they can be while learning to cooperate and communicate with their teammates.
  • Hall of Fame Induction

    During week long events the festivities conclude with a Hall of Fame Induction where each participant is recognized for their attitude and effort to improve individually and become a better teammate. The Hall of Fame ring is a symbol of accomplishment that will serve to remind the participant of the qualities needed to achieve success in sports, school and life.
  • Fireworks

    During week-long events fireworks conclude the week with a celebration to be enjoyed by everyone attending the closing ceremonies and serves as a fitting salute to a spectacular week of events.
  • Evening Activities

    Activities are customized to the interest of the participants and range from fun field games, to bon fires, to karaoke, to movie nights - all designed to provide low-key activities, allowing teams to meet participants on other teams while enjoying the camaraderie of their teammates.
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Family Lodging

Many families enjoy traveling with their child’s team and at Golden Goal we embrace their involvement. The Lake George region was selected for its wide selection of lodging and recreational opportunities that this premier summer vacation destinations offers. Golden Goal has made exclusive arrangements with many lodging venues that provide the best possible price for Golden Goal families. You should contact the Golden Goal Lodging Director for details and customized planning.

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What to do in the area

Golden Goal has identified and made arrangements for special offers for participants, coaches, and family members at many area attractions. Some activities are free of charge and the special admission offers can be pre-ordered or purchased in the Retail Store throughout your stay at Golden Goal. Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom is a marketing partner of Golden Goal offering their lowest possible ticket price to Golden Goal participants and guests. Many other area attractions (listed below) offer similar savings to the Golden Goal guests.

All activities are within 25 minutes of Golden Goal Tournament Park.

• Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom
http://www.sixflags.com/greatescape
- Theme Park with adjacent Water Park – 5 hours to complete

• Lake George Village
http://www.lakegeorgevillage.com
- Shops and activities – 3-4 hours

• Lake George Beach
- Sand beach with sports activities – 4-5 hours

• Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course
http://www.adirondackextreme.com/
- Action Adventure course- 3-4 hours

• Fun Spot
http://www.thefunspot.net
- Go Karts, Laser Tag, Roller Skating – 2-3 hours

• Lake George Steamboat –
http://www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com
- Paddlewheel cruise ship tour of Lake George – 1 hour

• Hillbilly Fun Park – Mini Golf
http://www.lakegeorge.com/hillbillygolf/
- Closest mini golf to Golden Goal – 1-2 hours

• Sacandaga Outdoor Center –
http://www.4soc.com
- Rafting Tubing, kayaking, canoeing – 4-5 hours

• Hiking – Prospect Mountain
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/byway/ny_warre.htm
- Free Admission – 5-6 hours to complete trail

• Bicycle Trail
http://www.feedercanal.com/images/BicyclepathMap.pdf
Bike Trail along route 9 – 1-3 hours

• Shopping
http://www.factoryoutletsoflakegeorge.com
- Outlet Malls on Route 9

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