Tennessee Soccer Club (TSC) will be hosting its second annual 24-Hour Soccer-A-Thon, Feb. 24-25 at the Robert A. Ring Indoor Arena in Franklin.
The event kicks off at 4p.m. on Friday the 24th with an ‘open playtime’ when not only TSC players, but also parents and coaches will participate by playing soccer. Friday’s portion of the 24-hour event is expected to last until midnight. Saturday’s non-stop soccer action will last from 8a.m. until midnight. Saturday morning, TSC will hold a soccer clinic for Special Olympics Tennessee athletes.
The fundraiser was a huge success last year, with TSC raising more than $25,000. It was the first organized fundraiser by TSC in the club’s five-year history. According to Jimmy Drain, TSC’s Event Coordinator and Tournament Director, its purpose is to create more awareness of soccer within the community while raising funds for the club and its event partner, Special Olympics Tennessee.
“Our 24-Hour Soccer-A-Thon was a huge success last year and it’s my hope to better our efforts in 2017. We are already off to an impressive start with donations coming in every day,” says Drain. “We see great value in our ongoing relationship with Special Olympics Tennessee and cannot wait to host another clinic featuring their athletes alongside our Tennessee Soccer Club community,” he adds. “This year’s event promises to be a fun experience for all and we are challenging every one of our TSC families to get involved. Happy Fundraising and Go TSC!”
During the 24-Hour Soccer-A-Thon, TSC encourages all of its players, which consists of boys and girls from age groups Under 7 to Under 19 to raise donations. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics Tennessee.
Chief Operating Officer of Special Olympics, Adam Germek, said last year’s Soccer-A-Thon “was a creative and fun celebration that helped raise much needed funds to support our organization and provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
Germek says the funds raised last year enabled more than 70 Special Olympics athletes to attend and compete in the State Summer Games, which was a first for many of the kids. “Funds raised went to support equipment, housing, food, transportation, and venue usage for Special Olympics athletes,” says Germek. “This event is a two-day event where over 1,000 athletes attend from all over the state to compete in 6 sports. This is the largest event Special Olympics Tennessee hosts each year with athletes traveling from all areas of the state to crown the top Special Olympics athletes,” he adds.
“We are blessed to call TSC one of our partners and appreciate the amazing support and friendship they have shown to our athletes and the community by transforming lives through the joy of sport,” says Germek.
To learn more about the 24-Hour Soccer-A-Thon or Tennessee Soccer Club, please contact TSC’s Event Coordinator Jimmy Drain at [email protected].
To make a donation, click here.
