February 6, 2008

Playing soccer is an exhilarating feeling, but doing it for a good cause it is even more fulfilling.

The Arkansas State Soccer Association (ASSA) is honored to host its first annual “Kick for the Cure” tournament, to be held at the Burns Park Soccer Complex, in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

This great tournament will kick off on March 15-16, and all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation; an aid organization that does fundraising for breast cancer research.

Although it is uncommon to name a tournament after another event, in this case the rare action was implemented.

"The Race for the Cure is one of the biggest fundraising events in the nation, so we thought that we would try ‘Kick for the Cure’ (since it is essentially women putting on the tournament), therefore the money we make goes to a good cause, and teams might be more inclined to enter our tournament if they know where their money is going” said Tournament Director, Andrea “Tree” Richmond.

First time to host a tournament...

The Arkansas Women of Soccer and Team G.L.O.S.S. in conjunction with the ASSA are ecstatic to finally host their own adult tournament instead of traveling out of state to play.

"This can be a really great tournament if everyone gets involved, we have lots of support from sponsors, and obviously support from surrounding state associations and their teams” said Richmond. “I hope to continue this tournament annually, as well as it continues to grow each year” she added.

The inaugural event will be held in memory of Melinda Marie Evans, a friend of Richmond, who sadly passed away on August 2007 of breast cancer.

“Melinda and I grew up, and played soccer together in the same town; she coached her kids, and continued to play as an adult as long as she was healthy to do so” said the tournament director.

“I thought it would be fitting to honor her memory with a soccer tournament.”

All proceeds will go directly to the charity that will be able to help those like Melinda. 

Kick for the Cure will also allow promoting the game in  Arkansas and encourage more adults to participate in an adult league. Divisions to play in the tournament list as Men’s Over 35; and Men’s & Women’s Open: Recreational & Competitive.

A major focus of the tournament is to reach out to teams from other states, and make it a fun, festive, and competitive event.

If you are interested and wish to inquire further information please contact Tournament Director, Andrea “Tree” Richmond by phone (501) 590-3363 or email andrea.richmond@comcast.net.

Registration for this event will close on March 3, 2008.


About the Arkansas Women of Soccer, and Team G.L.O.S.S.

Arkansas Women of Soccer is a small but dedicated group of women who love the game of soccer and continue playing it well after high school and college. They enjoy competing in tournaments and are usually fairly successful. About 85% of them played at the collegiate level, and most of them are still involved in soccer through coaching and refereeing.

Team G.L.O.S.S. is an all women’s team that was put together to play in men’s/coed league. They started off playing 7v7 and have expanded to 11v11 to try and compete with the men. The team enjoys the competition and has fun playing together. G.L.O.S.S. stands for Gorgeous Ladies of Summer Soccer (since they started in the summer), but now have also expanded to the spring season, so they can be considered Gorgeous Ladies of Spring Soccer as well.