Sam, Alyssa, Carlie-ann and Emily of the GU-14 FC Heat Ontiveros show off their T-shirts for the Kickin' It Challenge. Photo Courtesy of DaVona Reed

Youth Soccer News: Kickin It Challenge Draws Hundreds of Players to Support 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 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.

Pam Bickel, President of Poway Youth Soccer which includes the Poway Vaqueros, and Kickin’ It Challenge Director Toni DeCarlo worked tirelessly for months to make sure that everything was in place for the event. In addition to a portion of the fees, money was raised through raffles and silent auctions at the event. Bickel even got U.S. Women’s National Team defender Rachel Buehler to autograph items for the silent auction.

When asked why the club became involved in raising funds for breast cancer research and treatment, Bickel explained, “Everyone knows someone impacted by breast cancer. 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.”

Members of the Poway Vaqueros collected donations at the July 1 San Diego Flash soccer game. Photo Credit: Pam Bickel

The Kickin’ It Challenge received a major boost shortly before the event when the San Diego Flash Soccer Club signed on to help promote the tournament. Several Flash players appeared at the Kickin’ It Challenge, and the team held a special “pink” night at their final home match against the Fullerton Rangers on Sunday, July 1. The team gave free admission to anyone wearing pink, and many took advantage of the deal.

For the night, all of the Flash players began the match with pink wrist bands, which they then tossed to the crowd. At halftime members of three of the Vaqueros teams went through the crowd with pink buckets to collect additional donations for the cause, receiving another $300 for breast cancer research.

Talking to Bickel just weeks before the tournament, her excitement and enthusiasm were more than apparent.

In some ways she was like the proverbial kid in the candy store as she talked about how well the event was shaping up and how they had reached their workable limit of teams long before the cut-off date.

“We closed the schedule at 94 teams,” she said when interviewed at the San Diego SeaLions home opener where Buehler signed autographs.

“We had to turn teams away. We didn’t want to do it, but to do the event right it was better to close where we were. We had to move a full bracket off site to accommodate everyone.”

After the close of the tournament, Bickel talked about the energy and enthusiasm that were generated over the weekend.

“The level of participation was amazing, seeing not only players but coaches and spectators decked out in pink supporting this event was so much fun.  We could not have done this without the total support of Southern California Soccer. Thank You!”

DaVona Reed, Escondido Soccer Club administrator and manager for the Girls U-14 FC Heat – Ontiveros, explained why her team became involved in the Kickin’ It Challenge.

“There are many reasons as to why we participated and showed our support in making shirts as a team, getting breast cancer socks and the pink wigs,” she said.  “Number one, what better cause?  These children are our future, so let's do what we can to make a difference for when they grow up,” said Reed.

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

“Second,” she continued, “Escondido is our home town and we wanted to show just how much we supported this tournament."

Reed also said, "Finally, there were several girls who have lost family members to breast cancer, so they played for them. Others played for those fighting the battle and those who have won."

"Some played in honor of family they lost to cancer in general. We want to make a difference!”

Another team that participated in the Kickin’ It Challenge was the Oceanside Breakers Girls U-9 Black under the direction of coach Brad Ackles.

The team took top spot in their bracket, but that was not what made the tournament so special for them.

“Oceanside Breakers GU-9 were fortunate enough to win the Championship,” Ackles explained, “but even more fortunate to play in a tournament that goes much further than medals, wins, trophies and goals. These eight-year-olds experienced something that goes well beyond the soccer field. Coach CarrieAnn Fawcett and myself, as well as each parent, could not be prouder of them!”

Scripps Ranch Girls U-17 team in action at the Kickin' It Challenge. Photo Credit: Steve Kent

“It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago this event was just an idea,” said Bickel, “now year one is done! We are looking forward to next year’s tournament with even more enthusiasm than we started with this year. This was truly the most rewarding weekend of soccer that I have ever been a part of. Our kids played some great soccer, made a difference in their community and were part of something that is sure to become one of Southern California’s best soccer events.”

Oceanside Breakers GU-9 Black. Photo courtesy of Oceanside Breakers	FC Heat GU-14 Ontiveros. Photo Credit: DaVona Reed	Scripps Ranch GU-17. Photo Credit: Steve Kent

Through the success of the tournament and the bucket collection at the Flash game, the Kickin’ It Challenge was able to raise over $20,000 to donate to the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. A special ceremony will be held later this month to present the check to the Foundation.

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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