When the Hamilton Girls Soccer Club began planning for its 2nd annual “Kickin’ Cancer Soccer Tournament,” the goals they set were lofty. They wanted to double the amount of teams as well as the amount of money they were donating to the New Jersey Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Both were accomplished. There were 40 teams competing in the tournament on a windy and cold April 4 at Hamilton Township’s Veteran Park. And when the final amount was tallied, the club raised $12,000 to donate to cancer research.
“We set our goals pretty high, but through the efforts of many, we achieved them,“ said Hamilton Girl Soccer Club president Tom Slater, who is a cancer survivor. “Like many other soccer clubs, we have lost many members to cancer. When I recovered from cancer in2012, I wanted to do something to give back. This tournament is a special way to do that.”
The tournament held a 4 v 4 format for teams U8 to U10 and 6 v 6 format for U11 teams and older. The day ended with a coaches/alumni game, featuring recreation and travel coaches from Hamilton Girls Soccer Club along with former Hamilton Wildcat players invited. More than 45 coaches and former players participated.
Last year, with short notice and little planning, the club was able to raise $4000.
“This tournament is special because it involves all aspects of our club -- both our travel and recreation programs are putting together teams and we have former players coming back to play in the alumni game,” said Slater. “While other tournaments are fundraisers for their clubs or teams, this gives back to the community.”
Besides the games themselves, there will be plenty of other entertainment. Blue Streak Entertainment provided music early in the day before the wind gusts of 40-miles per hour plus ended that; the Red Bulls professional soccer team ran skill games fromm 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there was food , [JMS1] t-shirts, face-painting and plenty of giveaways.
Raffle prizes include a Red Bull jersey autographed by the 2014 team and team apparel. Tickets to future games were donated by the Red Bulls, Sky Blue FC, the women’s professional soccer team from New Jersey; Trenton Thunder and Lakewood Blue Claws as well as other local businesses.
Ahead of the tournament, there were two fundraiser events where local businesses donated part of their proceeds to the tournament. Texas Roadhouse Restaurant hosted two dinner nights and Maggie Moos held a “guest scooper” night where Hamilton coaches scooped ice cream to patrons.
The Trenton Rebels men’s soccer team volunteered their services as guest referees.
An addition to this year’s tournament is the Wall of Honor. Shaped in a giant ribbon, individuals purchased n purchase ribbons to honor family and friends who are living with cancer, cancer survivors or who have passed away from cancer.
Each team received a three-game schedule with medals presented to the first place team in each age group. Each player in the tournament received a “Kickin’ Cancer” wristband.
The tournament sponsors Brothers Pizza on Route 33 is the event sponsor. Other field sponsors include Philadelphia Insurance Company, Geico Insurance Company, Doctor’s Express, Oasis Garden Center, Brenna Funeral Home. Other businesses who sponsored were Ewing Sports, Key Realty, Sorella Day Spa, Nutter’s Landscape Maintenance and Design and Stonebridge Bagels.