Soccer Tournament to Benefit Susan G. Komen

Posted on May 3, 2012

The Kickin’ It Challenge – a two-day soccer tournament – scheduled for June 23–24 at the Frances Ryan Park in Escondido, will donate all proceeds to the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.

The tournament is the first of its kind in San Diego, hosted by the Poway Vaqueros, with fields provided by the City of Escondido. More than 120 youth soccer teams are expected to “Unite in the Fight” against breast cancer. The tournament hopes to raise at least $20,000 for the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation and to show young soccer players how to make a direct impact in their community while doing something they love.

“Everyone knows someone impacted by breast cancer,” said Pam Bickel, President of Poway Youth Soccer. “Just in our club alone, we have a handful of survivors, and we have lost more than one mom in the last couple of years to breast cancer. We felt it was time to bring a tournament to our community where funds raised will be donated to help local families struggling with breast cancer.”

The city of Escondido, E7 sports, Puma, Soccer Loco, and other organizations are sponsors of the tournament thus far. The venue for the event will be as unique as the tournament itself displaying pink field lines, tents, banners, referee flags and whistles. In addition to tournament winners, one team will receive the Pink Pride Award given by the tournament directors for the best showcase of breast cancer awareness and support.

Teams must register by May 20 via the tournament’s website. To learn more about the tournament, rules, sponsors and schedules, visit www.kickinitchallenge.com.