U15 Age Group Annual Trip to Scandinavia

Each year, the Blackhawks U15 age group has the opportunity to travel to Scandinavia. This more than 20-year tradition has taken our players to the Gothia World Youth Cup—the world’s largest youth tournament in Sweden.

The Sweden trip each year proves to be one of the most memorable parts of our player’s youth soccer and lifetime experiences.

Players and families typically begin fundraising efforts one year ahead of the trip. Since the trip is not funded by the club, teams work hard to make the trip feasible for themselves and their teammates who need financial support. The club provides fundraising and work opportunities for the players (helping assist with Little Hawks programs, selling concessions at events, etc.). Families of the travelers pull together group fundraisers (coffee, plant, and food sales, garage sales, etc). Players have worked individually by babysitting, mowing lawns, and refereeing to make this trip possible.

The spirit of our mission is alive in the Sweden trip. Every year, there are kids who work hard enough to raise the full cost of their trip and several who raise money on behalf of their teammates, who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to participate. That is building character and community.