Youth Soccer News: Kickin It Challenge Raises Over $20,000 To Fight against Breast Cancer

The first annual Kickin’ It Challenge to support the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure raised more than $20,000  to benefit the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation took place over the June 23-24 weekend at Frances Ryan Park in Escondido. The event was hosted by the Poway Vaqueros and the City of Escondido and attracted 94 teams from around Southern California to “Unite in the Fight” against breast cancer.

More than 94 youth soccer teams came together to kick away breast cancer thanks to the Kickin’ It Challenge. 

Pam Bickel, President of Poway Youth Soccer which includes the Poway Vaqueros, and Kickin’ It Challenge Director Toni DeCarlo are now loooking towards increasing this goal for 2012.

U.S. Women's National Team Defender Rachel Buehler and Pam Bickel

“We are extremely proud of what raised with this tournament. There are so many people in our community that are affected by breast cancer, and this cause is very close to our hearts,” said Toni DeCarlo, Tournament Director. ”Next year we plan to make the tournament bigger and better in every way that we can. This year’s event was a tremendous success and it was only just the beginning.” 

Between the two tournament days, where everything from the goal posts to the referee flags were painted pink, the tournament surpassed this goal by raising $20,685.14 to be donated to local organizations for breast cancer research and support. 

A portion of this amount was raised by a girls U9 soccer team from Oceanside, which donated $38.00 from proceeds raised from their Pink Lemonade stand. In addition to the tournament’s winners, one boys and one girls team were given a Power of Pink award for the most spirit and pink gear.

The Kickin’ It Challenge was San Diego’s first youth soccer tournament to benefit breast cancer research and support in San Diego. More than 90 teams participated to “Unite in the Fight” against breast cancer in the first annual tournament, hosted by Poway Vaqueros and played at Escondido’s Frances Ryan Park on June 23-24, 2012. 

Toni DeCarlo and Sue Filippone worked together to make this happen and have known each other for years.	The tournament generated good will from all ages. Photo Credit: Diane Scavuzzo

“On behalf of myself and my team I would like to say this was truly the most fun and rewarding event I have ever worked on,” said Bickel. “We were able to bring So Cal Soccer players together, have a great time playing soccer and make a difference at the same time.”

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