KidSport Calgary, in collaboration with Calgary Minor Soccer Association is excited to announce the first annual “KidSport Cup". This initiative aims to rally soccer teams across Calgary to raise funds for KidSport Calgary & Area, ensuring that all local kids have the opportunity to participate in sport, regardless of financial barriers. Soccer is KidSport Calgary’s highest funded sport with over 2,400 local kids given funds to participate, totaling to about $800,000 dollars which is invested back into local minor soccer programs. This is DOUBLE the amount of funds in KidSport’s second highest sport Hockey. 

Campaign Overview: "KidSport Cup" brings together the passion for soccer with the spirit of giving back to the community. KidSport Calgary and Calgary Minor Soccer Association seeks to ensure all children in our community are able to experience the joy and benefits of playing soccer. Funds raised will directly support KidSport Calgary's mission of removing financial obstacles so that every child can enjoy the beautiful game of soccer.

How to Sign Up – Have your team fill out the short KidSport Cup application link found here. 50 teams will be accepted into the first ever KidSport Cup.  Teams will be selected on a first come basis, however if interest surpasses the 50 team cut off, KidSport Calgary will use the paragraph portion on why your team wants to be part of this to select the additional teams.

KidSport Cup Timeline – The first ever KidSport Cup will run from June, 1 – August, 1 2024.

Rules – All teams will be provided support through the KidSport Calgary office to mobilize your efforts.  Each team will receive a fundraising page link as part of the KidSport Cup online fundraising page. All donations and fundraisers will be tracked through your page. Any raffles or 50/50 will need a license which can be supplied from KidSport. Any equipment donations will need to be confirmed with the KidSport team before being given a a cash value to your KidSport Cup team page. In the event of a tie, KidSport will share the plans for a tiebreaker with all competing teams by July 1, 2024.

Prizing: In alignment with our core values of teamwork and community support, "KidSport Cup" is proudly supported by Calgary Minor Soccer Association, KidSport Calgary, and generous sponsors.

Grand Prize Winner:

Have your team name put on the first ever KidSport Cup!!

An unforgettable Cavalry FC team experience!

You’ll also have your team photo put up in the KidSport office, on display at the Calgary West Soccer Centre and celebrated in the KidSport annual report!

Runner Up:

A signed Sam Adekugbe Team Canada Jersey and team pizza party!

Fundraising Tips: To maximize your team's fundraising efforts, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

1. Start Early: Begin fundraising as soon as possible to give yourself more time to reach your goals.
2. Share Your Story: Explain why you're fundraising and how it will help kids in your community. People are more likely to donate when they understand the cause.
3. Get Social: Use social media to spread the word about your fundraising efforts and make it easy for people to donate online.
4. Say Thank You: Show appreciation to your donors with a personal thank-you message. It goes a long way in building relationships and encouraging future support.
5. Team Up: Encourage your teammates to join in fundraising efforts. Together, you can reach more people and raise more money.
6. Keep It Fun: Host events or challenges that make fundraising enjoyable for everyone involved. The more fun it is, the more likely people will want to participate.
7. Set Goals: Break down your fundraising target into smaller, achievable goals. It's easier to stay motivated when you can track your progress.
8. Keep It Simple: Don't over complicate things. Stick to a few key fundraising activities that work for your team and focus on executing them well.

Fundraising Ideas: For some fun and creative ways to fundraise, here are some ideas:

• Penalty Shootout Challenge: Organize a penalty shootout competition where participants donate a small fee to attempt penalty kicks against a goalkeeper. Offer prizes for the most goals scored or the most creative shot.
• Soccer Juggling Marathon: Host a juggling marathon where players attempt to continuously juggle a soccer ball for as long as possible. Participants can gather pledges for each minute or hour they juggle, with proceeds going towards the fundraising campaign.
• Soccer Skills Clinic: Offer a skills clinic led by experienced coaches or players from your team. Participants can sign up for the clinic and make a donation to attend. Focus on teaching fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting while raising funds for KidSport Calgary.
• Soccer Tournament Fundraiser: Organize a mini soccer tournament open to teams of all ages and skill levels. Charge an entry fee for teams to participate, and consider offering incentives such as trophies or medals for the winners. Additionally, include opportunities for spectators to donate to the cause during the event.
• Soccer Freestyle Showcase: Showcase the artistry and creativity of soccer freestyle performers by hosting a freestyle showcase event. Invite local freestylers to demonstrate their skills and entertain the audience. Sell tickets to the showcase and offer opportunities for attendees to make donations to support KidSport Calgary.
• Soccer Jersey Day: Designate a day where players, coaches, and supporters wear their favorite soccer jerseys to show their love for the game and support for the fundraising campaign. Encourage participants to make a donation or pledge for each jersey worn, and document the event with photos and videos to share on social media.
• Soccer Trivia Night: Host a soccer-themed trivia night at a local venue or online. Create trivia questions covering a range of topics including soccer history, famous players, memorable moments, and World Cup trivia. Charge an entry fee for participants and offer prizes for the top scoring teams. Include opportunities for attendees to donate throughout the event.
• Community Service Fundraiser: Offer services like shoveling driveways or cleaning yards in exchange for donations. Other sport specific fundraisers - build a season long campaign around your team goals - $10 for every clean sheet, $10 for every corner kick or penalty goal, give parents, supporters, family something to support by seeing them pledge an amount aligning with the team competition challenge you set and celebrate with your team
• Already hosting a tournament - consider adding a 50/50 or raffle
• Equipment drive - host a cleat, ball and shin pad drive – every 50 pairs of cleats you gather we will add $250 to your fundraising total for your team

Social Media Outreach: Utilize your team's social media platforms to amplify your fundraising efforts and encourage support from your follower's. Customize messages to share your participation in the ‘KidSport Cup" and the impact of KidSport Calgary's work, along with a direct link to your team's fundraising page.  A social support package with graphics will be provided to your team.

Our Goal: 50 Local Soccer Teams, Raising a combined total of $50,000 #SoALLKidsCanPlay #KidSportCup

"KidSport Cup" is not just about soccer — it's about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community. By coming together as a soccer community, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of playing the beautiful game. Join us in supporting KidSport Calgary and empowering youth through soccer. Together, we can score goals on and off the field!  KidSport Calgary is a grassroots sports charity that is seeing record demand from a growing number of low-income families in our community. To keep up with this demand we need to engage our largest stakeholders and benefactors. We are hopefully that through the launch of the "KidSport Cup" that we are able to build a strong group of leaders in the soccer community, while also educating and growing a huge group of future leaders through the players on your teams.