With just over nine months until the Gothia Cup, a group of Mission U11 girls is continuing to make their dreams of attending the event a reality.
Known unofficially as “The World Youth Cup,” the event has been held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden since 1975 and regularly hosts thousands of soccer players aged U11 to U18 every year.
The Mission team is aiming to raise enough money to compete at the 2019 edition of the event, which runs from July 14 to 20. The team began last year, raising $1,200 through a bottle drive fundraiser back in September.
A banquet at the Mission Golf Club in December followed, with MP Jati Sidhu, RCMP representatives and members of the Mission Rotary and Optimist clubs attending.
The start of 2018 saw the girls host a polar bear swim at Hayward Lake on Jan. 1, and several smaller fundraisers followed, including selling small cedar tree seedlings, organic fair trade coffee and chocolates in front of local establishments.
More bottle drives followed and the girls managed to double their profits. Money was also raised through a golf tournament, Mission Fest, more bottle drives, a 50/50 draw and donut sales.
The girls have raised an incredible $40,000 of the $55,000 goal. However, costs have increased and the amount needed has now been bumped to $85,000. The team understands they will have to pitch in some of their own money, but are thrilled and grateful for the support from the Mission community.
“We had a run of panic when we ran short of time before the 400 Club 50/50 draw, but we pulled it off for the girls who will have the experience of a lifetime,” stated head coach and organizer John Beckmann. “We cannot thank the Mission community enough for all their support. It will be a great accomplishment to get a team to Sweden from a small town like Mission.”
The girls will continue fundraising in the coming months, and have a bottle drive later this month and chocolate sales in December. Another polar bear swim is planned. For more, visit facebook.com/girlsgothiacup.
