Youth Soccer Players Help Kick Breast Cancer: 4th Annual Kickin’ It Challenge Prepares To Kick Off
Inspired by soccer moms battling breast cancer, the Kickin’ It Challenge tournament has raised $100,000 for Susan G. Komen, San Diego. This year, the 2015 Kick’in It Challenge goal is to raise $45K.
The fourth annual Kickin’ It Challenge, a two-day soccer tournament that brings San Diego’s and southern California’s youth soccer teams together to help fight the battle against breast cancer will be held on June 20 and 21 at Frances Ryan Park in Escondido in San Diego County.
One hundred percent of proceeds raised at the event will go to Susan G. Komen, San Diego to provide free services to women for every step of their breast cancer journey, which includes education, outreach, free mammograms, financial assistance for living expenses, food assistance, transportation, breast cancer research and more.
The 2015 Kickin’ It Challenge youth soccer tournament will be held on June 20 and 21 at Frances Ryan Park in Escondido in San Diego County.
“This is unlike any other soccer tournament. The kids involved understand the impact they are making in the community and it is a way for us to support a cause that affects many families, and specifically many of our own soccer moms.” said Pam Bickel, founder and president of the Kickin’ It Challenge and past president of Poway Youth Soccer. “This year our goal is to raise $45,000.” This tournament is a labor of love for Bickel who admits to spending approximately 20 hours a week, every week working on this youth soccer breast cancer fundraiser.
To support local breast cancer patients and their families, youth soccer teams are invited to register and “Unite in the Fight” against breast cancer. Last year, 118 soccer teams from all across California participated in the event, which raised more than $35,000 for Susan G. Komen San Diego, making it one of Komen’s largest third-party fundraisers.
“Since its inception three years ago, the Kickin’ It Challenge has raised more than $100,000. The money raised from this event has provided countless mammograms to women, including soccer moms, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it,” said Laura Farmer-Sherman, executive director of Susan G. Komen San Diego. “The Kickin’ It Challenge makes a substantial difference for the women of San Diego.” Bickel has already started to reach across the country to see if others wish to join her in creating a similar tournament and last year, the Kickin’ It Challenge in the Carolinas took off with a three day, breast cancer fundraising event.
As part of this unique tournament in San Diego, there will be a Soccer Tournament Entry Auction; an opportunity to bid on tournament fees from top youth tournaments around the area. Entries include the Carlsbad Cup, Coronado Holliday Cup, Copa Del Mar, RSF Summer Classic, Pats Cup and other youth soccer tournaments. There will also be two “POWER OF PINK” (POP) awards; youth soccer teams winning the POP award will be granted free entrance to the 2016 Kickin’ It Challenge – and yes, you do have to be wearing pink.
Looking to raise additional funds and allow adults to really celebrate all their hard work on this event, the Kickin’ It Challenge Gala Bash will be a celebration on June 26, 2015 at Old Poway Park from 6-10pm. The dinner, which will be in part donated by Shell’s Kitchen will also feature music by DJ Rebirth. There will also be a silent auction with great items such as a catered dinner by Shell’s Kitchen, Disneyland tickets, autographed items, jewelry and more. Tickets are $75, which includes dinner, beer/wine and dancing. Tickets are on sale now through June 15, 2015. Items for the auction last year included US Women’s National Team jersey signed by all the players and soccer balls signed by US National Team Defender Rachel Buehler Van Hollebeke.
The Kick’in It Challenge youth soccer tournament is now open for registration and closes May 15. Want to make a difference? Donations for the Kickin’ It Challenge auction can be sent to Pam Bickel.
The Kickin’ It Challenge is hosted by Poway Vaqueros Soccer Club and its founding partner soccerloco (a premier soccer specialty retailer in America). Event collateral, tournament software and other items are donated by adidas, Wilson Trophy, the Catalyst Training Center and The Lock People.
Event Information Recap:
Registration: www.kickinitchallenge.com Closes on May 15
Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 20 – 21, 2015
Time: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. both days
Location: Frances Ryan Park, 450 Hidden Trail Rd., Escondido, CA 92027
New this year: Kickin’ It Challenge Gala Bash – To buy tickets for the Gala Bash, register or learn more about the tournament, rules, sponsors, schedules and how your team can “Unite in the Fight,” visit: www.kickinitchallenge.com.
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