Tom Slater, cancer survivor and president of Hamilton Girls Soccer Club, playing in coaches/alumni game.
The Hamilton Girls Soccer Club raised $12,000 at the 2nd annual Kickin’ Cancer Tournament.
Tom Slater Hamilton Girls Soccer Club president presents $12,000 check to representatives of NJ chapter of American Cancer Society with Debbie Cooney, left, and Michele DeChristopher, right.
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. 40 teams competed in the tournament on April 4, 2015 at Hamilton Township’s Veteran Park. And when the final amount was tallied, the club raised $12,000 to donate to cancer research.
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.
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 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there was food , 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 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 check 150
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