PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — On Sunday at 9 a.m., the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge 1954, will host its annual “Soccer Shoot” penalty kick competition for all youth under the age of 14 years. The event will take place outside Gentile Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Elks Youth Activities Chairperson Brandon Daigle said there are four age categories in the competition. Young people in age categories under 8 and 8-9 will compete with No. 4 size soccer balls kicked into goals of varying sizes. Competitors in age categories 10-11 and 12-14 use a No. 5 size soccer ball kicked into a regulation-size goal, with points awarded based upon the quadrant of the goal into which the soccer ball is kicked. Each category will have separate girls’ and boys’ divisions, according to Daigle.
There is no registration fee. Winners will be awarded a trophy and the opportunity to compete in the District competition, to be held Oct. 4. Members of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge will be serving hot dogs, beverages and chips to competitors and their parents.
“This is a really fun event for kids,” said Elks Soccer Shoot Chairman Michael LaFrance. “Every kid enjoys the opportunity to match their kicking skills against a young person of similar age. Getting to take home a trophy is just the icing on the cake.”
Winners from the District competition will be invited to go to the statewide contest on Oct. 25 in Augusta.
Further information is available by calling the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985, or Daigle at 768-8572.
