Soccer Challenge

The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is a competition designed for players to demonstrate their skills in the penalty kick. The competition is open to all children ages 9-14, where each player will be allowed 15 shots at the goal from the penalty line, 12 yards from the goal. Winners progress to the district, regional, state and international levels.

Suggested Time Frame

September —Council Championship

October — District Championship

October/November — Regional Championship

November — State Championship

Contest Levels

Council level- Each contestant receives three practice kicks followed by 15 consecutive kicks from the 12-yard penalty line. In the event a tie breaker is necessary, it should be conducted as follows: each contestant will have the opportunity to take 3 kicks from apposition three yards behind the penalty kick line, until a winner emerges.

District level- The district level of the contest occurs ONLY if more than one council in the district participates in the Soccer Challenge. Check with your district deputy to see if this is the case in your area. The winner in this level will compete in either the regional or state competition. Check with your youth director regarding this.

Regional/State- The regional level of competition usually only takes place in larger jurisdictions. State level each contestant receives three practice kicks followed by 25 consecutive kicks from the 12-yard penalty line. In the event a tie breaker is necessary, each contest receives 3 kicks from a position three yards behind the penalty line until a winner emerges.

Winners score card for each age group at the state level should be sent to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326. Telephone (203)752-4270.

Council officials should order the program kit (#SC-Kit) by calling (203)752-4270 or visiting kofc.org/forms, promote the contest and contact schools to participate.

To view a short video of Bishop Barres of Rockville Centre, NY discussing the virtues of both the Free Throw Championship and the Soccer Challenge, click here.

Action Steps
Support Materials
Previous Winners

Action Steps

Implement these tips and guidelines into your Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge to ensure fun, fairness, and success!

Set a time and place. Contact schools, community centers or youth centers and reserve a soccer field. Ask sports teams, colleges or universities to work with your council on the Soccer Challenge as part of their community outreach program.
Contact the schools in your area to explain the program. Seek permission from the principals, athletic directors and superintendents to conduct the program as part of their physical education or intramural programs.
Display Soccer Challenge posters prominently to generate attention and participation. Ask to display posters in elementary schools, middle or high schools, youth centers, Church halls and vestibules, libraries, Boys & Girls clubs, shopping centers, YMCA and YWCA buildings, and Columbian Squire meeting places. On the poster indicate the name of the contact person; the date, time and location of the competition; and a telephone number to call for additional information.
Pre-registration of athletes will boost the number of participants and save time at the actual event. Distribute entry forms/score sheets to approved locations. Personally deliver entry forms/score sheets to physical education teachers and coaches when possible. Have an announcement made in schools or send out a reminder of the competition immediately before the event. Be ready to accept entry forms/scores sheets from walk-in participants on the day or the competition.
Build public interest. Use the sample press release to announce the competition in local newspapers and through radio announcements. Always use the program's official name: Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge.
Present Participation Certificates (#4573) to all participants, and Council Champion Certificates (#4575) to the winners at the end of the competition. The Soccer Challenge Kit (#SC-KIT) contains 75 certificates for competitors (including 10 for champions).
The Supreme Council has plaques, prizes, and promotional items available which are suitable for council champions.These items include regulation-size soccer balls, glow-in-the-dark miniature balls, plaques and trophies – all bearing the K of C logo. Cash or bonds must not be awarded at any level of competition since that may compromise the amateur status of the contestant.
Use the Soccer Challenge Report Form (#4567) to report the results of your competition.
Provide the entry form/score sheets and the proof of age for the council winners to the district deputy for the district competition. Inform council competition winners of the date, time and location of the district competition and any other levels of competition to which they are advancing.
For more information on how to conduct a council competition, please to refer to our Soccer Challenge Program Guide (#SC-4576).

Support Materials

Below is a complete list of the rules, action steps, and guidelines to running a soccer challenge. Many of the printed items are included in the Soccer Challenge kit (#SC-KIT); and the promotional items are ideal to distribute to participants at the various levels of competition.

Printed Materials
Item	Form #
Soccer Challenge Kit Order Form	SC-1
Soccer Challenge Report Form	4567
Soccer Challenge Participation Certificate	4573
Soccer Challenge Entry Form/Score Sheet	4578
Program Guide	4576
Council Champion Certificate	4575
Soccer Challenge Poster	4571
Soccer Challenge Poster	4572

Promotional Material
Item	Form #	Cost (US Funds)
Competition Soccer Balls	SC-2	$125
Council Plaques	SC-4	$115
Regional Trophies	SC-5	$160
State Trophies	SC-6	$175

When ordering materials, please use the online request form when available; or mail or fax a Requisition Form (#1).

Orders made online or faxed in should not be mailed because it may result in duplicate order. Please allow four weeks to ensure delivery by the event.

Department	Postal Service	Telephone / Fax
Fraternal Mission Department	Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510	Tel: 203-752-4270 Fax: 203-752-4108

Previous Winners

Since the program began in 2006, just under 100,000 children throughout the Order have participated in the Soccer Challenge. To view the winners of the past three years please use the links below.

2017-18 Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge Winners

2016-17 Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge Winners

2015-16 Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge Winners

Thank you to everyone who participates in this program. If you have any questions or recommendations, please contact the Department of Fraternal Mission at fraternalmission@kofc.org or (203)752-4270.