+ What is the policy on outside food at the different venues?

There is to be no outside food and drink brought into any facility throughout the tournament. Coolers and outside food and drink should be left outside the buildings. Team "buffets" will have to be set up outside the buildings, in parking lots, etc. Players and coaches are allowed to bring water bottles and we simply ask that you help clean-up after yourselves along the way. The Berglund Center and Spectrum are both requiring bag checks upon entry but will try to be quick.

+ Are personal chairs permitted/needed?

You are allowed to bring your own chairs into most venues, however they will not always be needed as many sites will have bleachers available. Chairs will likely be permitted anywhere without bleacher seating.

+ Are there directions to the sites?

The AES website as well as the Shamrock Festival website will include addresses for each individual site. All sites are within 10-15 minutes of each other this year and there is sufficient time to travel to and from the different sites between waves.

+ How many teams are you expecting at the Shamrock Festival?

For 2024, we plan to accept up to 48 teams in the 18’s Division, up to 63 teams in the 16’s Division, up to 15 teams in the 15 Club Division (no 15-1 teams permitted), up to 52 teams in the 14’s Division, and up to 10 teams in the 12's Division. Teams are allowed to play up one age group, so 13’s can play 14’s, 14's and 15-2/15-3 teams can play 15 Club, 15’s can play 16’s, and 17’s can play 18’s. To clarify, a 14’s team is not allowed to register as a 15’s team in order to play 16’s, nor can a 16’s team register as a 17’s team in order to play 18’s.

+ What is the tournament format?

The 18’s, 16’s, and 15 Club divisions will each have seeded 3-team pools and wave through 3 rounds of pool play. The 18’s and 15 Club divisions' 3-team pools will begin on Saturday at 8am, 2pm, and 8pm with playoffs starting no earlier than 11am on Sunday. The 16’s division's 3-team pools will begin on Saturday at 11am and 5pm and again on Sunday at 8am with playoffs starting no earlier than 12:00 noon on Sunday. The 14’s division will have seeded 4-team pools and wave through 2 rounds of pool play. The first 4-team pool will be from 8am-2pm on Saturday and the second 4-team pool will start from 5pm-8pm on Saturday and finish up from 8am-11am on Sunday with playoffs starting no earlier than 12:00 noon. The 12's Division will play in two 5-team pools that will run from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and finish up on Sunday from 9am to noon. Playoffs will follow on Sunday immediately after pool play. All of the above is subject to change based on site/court availability.

+ What can you tell me about the different playing sites?

There will be numerous playing sites and all of them are within 10-15 minutes of each other so there is no need to make specific hotel arrangements related to where your team will begin play. Initial pool play assignments and locations will be posted on AES the week of the tournament. Detailed pool play assignments and results for the entire tournament will be posted on AES throughout the weekend and will be updated in real-time as results become available. We have secured the following sites: the 13-court Berglund Center for our tournament headquarters (and for 18's and 16's Divisions); the 4-court Patrick Henry HS & the 4-court William Fleming HS (18's, 16's, & 15 Club Divisions); the 10-court Spectrum Sports Academy (14's Division); the 3-court Countryside Sportsplex (14's Division), and 2 courts at Salem HS (12's Division).

+ What goes on Friday night at the Berglund Center?

On Friday night at the Berglund Center, we will be selling tournament t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hoodies, and other apparel. This is the BEST time to purchase tournament apparel as some colors and sizes run out quickly! We will also be hosting a Recruiting Showcases for 8-12 grade girls (see Showcase tab above), a Kids' Instructional Clinic for 5-13 year olds (See Kids Clinic tab above), and we will have a door prize drawing for a variety of gift cards and other prizes after Showcase. A complete Friday night schedule will be posted on the Shamrock Home Page before the tournament as well.

+ Will there be a Coaches’ Meeting on Friday night?

No. Based on feedback from coaches in years past and on our own experiences at other tournaments, there will not be a Coaches’ Meeting on Friday night. All important information will be provided prior to the tournament and/or posted online. There are no required forms to be handed in during Shamrock once your team has been accepted and your Shamrock roster is updated in AES.

+ Are you having a Recruiting Showcase again this year?

Yes! We are holding a Recruiting Showcase on Friday night at the Berglund Center again this year for any players (grades 8-12) interested in showing their individual skills to the college coaches in attendance and/or just wanting to get some Showcase experience for the future. Details on the Recruiting Showcase are posted on the Shamrock Festival website’s Showcase Page. The Showcase format will include lots of game-like drills and some scrimmage time as our goal is to let the athletes get Showcase experience and show their skills to the college coaches in attendence.

+ Will tournament shirts be sold at every site during the tournament?

Tournament apparel will be sold at most but not all sites throughout the weekend but many individual playing sites will have limited sizes, colors, etc. Tournament shirts and other apparel will be sold at the Berglund Center and Spectrum Sports Academy at all times Saturday and Sunday while supplies last. Availability at other locations will depend largely on availability after Friday night sales at the Berglund Center. In order to make sure you get the t-shirt or sweatshirt color, size, and style you want, we strongly encourage everyone to come on Friday night if possible.

+ What is the cost for spectator admission?

Admission will be handled electronically again this year with advance online purchase required. Details will be posted the week before the tournament. No admission will be sold on site so you must puchase online.

+ Will officials be provided for all matches?

Paid R1’s (up refs) will be provided for all matches. The work team must provide a certified R2 (down ref), scorekeeper, libero tracker, and 2 line judges for all matches. In the Finals for all Gold, Silver, & Bronze playoff divisions, paid officials will be provided as both up and down refs.

+ Will concessions be sold at every site?

As far as we know, concessions will be sold at all sites this year. Each individual site runs its own concessions and the Shamrock Festival has no control over what is offerred and/or what the prices are. There are no outside food and drinks allowed in any facilities so please plan accordingly. Please abide by all posted signs regarding food and drink or we run the risk of losing the privilege to utilize certain playing sites in the future (and your team runs the risk of not being invited back).

+ Will trainers be provided at all locations?

Athletic trainers will be available for the majority of the tournament at the 13-court Berglund Center and the 10-court Spectrum Sports Academy. You may be asked to provide your own supplies or pay a nominal fee for supplies when getting ankles taped, etc. At other locations and/or in the event of more serious injuries that require additional medical attention, please go to the nearest emergency room.

+ What happens in the event of inclement weather or other outside forces?

The Shamrock Festival will make every effort to continue regardless of inclement weather or other outside forces like pandemics. In the unlikely event that the entire tournament is canceled due to bad weather or something else out of the tournament's control, refunds will be issued to all accepted teams net of all non-refundable tournament expenses (deposits/fees for sites, equipment, etc.). Teams unable to attend due to local weather/issues will not be given any refund if the tournament occurs.

+ What hotel should we stay in?

Hotels are being handled through our housing partner Traveling Teams again this year. Click on the Housing link on the Main Page for additional details. Shamrock is a Stay and Play event again in 2024 so all non-local teams (45+ miles away from Roanoke) must secure their hotel block through Traveling Teams before they will be accepted. All available hotels are generally in close proximity to the playing venues. You have 3 hours between waves so travel to the sites is not an issue. Please have coaches and/or parents staying alone block King rooms to save double rooms and rooms with pullouts for the teams.

+ What time will play end on Sunday?

Should you make it to the final match of the day, you will be scheduled to start that match no later than 4pm. However, as with any tournament, we may be slightly ahead or slightly behind schedule. In an effort to keep things on schedule throughout the tournament again this year, we will continue to start all 25-point games at a score of 4-4. 15-point games will always start at 0-0.

+ What is there to do in Roanoke?

Valley View Mall is the largest mall in the Roanoke Valley. There are numerous restaurants on the property and stores in the mall include Old Navy, Hollister, Abercrombie, Gap, etc. Out-parcels include Target, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Etc. In addition, “The Market” is located in downtown Roanoke. This is a unique “touristy” attraction where lots of jewelry, craft, and food vendors from local producers set-up on the weekends. In addition, the Roanoke Star is located on top of Mill Mountain off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is the world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. It is located about 5 minutes from downtown Roanoke and from the Roanoke Star, you can enjoy the scenic view of the entire Roanoke Valley. For more information about Roanoke, click HERE.