MEDFORD, Ore. -- The Rogue Memorial Challenge is drawing in thousands of families from across the West. This year, 165 teams will go against each other in a round-robin tournament for chance to take home some major bragging rights.
The Rogue Valley Timbers has hosted this event for the last six years, but it has been a part of the community for more than 20. The competitive kids soccer league expects more than 3,500 people to turn out for this weekend's events.
“It’s an adrenaline rush the entire weekend," said Director of Coaching for Rogue Valley Timbers and tournament organizer Kevin Primerano. "Our staff runs on 4, 5 hours of sleep a night. It’s an adrenaline rush seeing kids on the field. Seeing all the families with the community. It’s exhilarating.”
The first game will begin this Saturday, May 26th and run until Memorial Day. The big rush of people also means a boost in tourism and economic impact. Local hotels reported being sold out with bus-loads of tournament players.
"The fact that we are able to drive such a huge economic impact over the weekend is not lost on us and is very important to us,” said Primerano.
To see a full schedule of players and games, click here.
