Challenger Sports Corporation is the largest provider of soccer camps in the United States and Canada, and has been established as a true “Total Soccer Company,” providing camps, clinics, tours, tournaments, uniforms and coaching materials to thousands of clubs throughout North America.
Click here for a short presentation on Challenger
Challenger Sports began as British Soccer Camps in 1985, as a division of All American Indoor Sports Inc. All American operated a number of multi-purpose indoor soccer facilities and was owned by Ron Matsch and Jim Jorgensen. Ron and Jim also founded Discovery Zone Inc., an indoor playground and fun center for children, that went on to achieve international success.
The British Soccer Camp program quickly grew throughout the Midwest, expanding into Oklahoma, Tennessee and Georgia, and establishing a reputation of delivering quality coaching with a unique British cultural twist.
On October 1, 1997, Challenger Sports was created by Ron Matsch, Jim Jorgensen, Peter Arch and Alan Jones, and the company acquired the operations of British Soccer. Gearing up for nationwide growth of the British Soccer Camp program and for further expansion into other elements of the soccer industry, Challenger Sports quickly recruited Paul Lawrence and Derek Shoare who at the time were President and Vice President of the largest soccer camp company in the United States.
Challenger built a quality staff of full-time Regional Soccer Directors, and within two years had established a network of offices throughout the United States. Challenger also invested heavily in the United Kingdom and were the first United States-based soccer company to set up a full-time recruitment and training operation in Britain.
Challenger’s investment was quickly rewarded as the British Soccer Camp program grew over 47 percent in 1998 and then grew a further 71 percent in 1999! Since then, the company has continued to grow steadily each year, and Challenger now runs over 1,800 British Soccer Camps for over 90,000 children and coaches a further 20,000 on year round programs.
In addition to the Industry-leading British Soccer Camp program, Challenger also has established a rapidly growing Tours business, headed up by long time British Soccer staff members Andy Bennett and Gareth Hughes.
More recently, Challenger established a sister company to manufacture and sell soccer uniforms directly to the United States soccer community. By eliminating several stages of the traditional importer/wholesaler/retailer chain, Challenger is able to do direct-to-market with an incredible uniform at a fantastic price.
Challenger now finds itself with a nationwide network of clubs, coaches, players and parents, and a broad base of soccer products and services that just about covers anything that you could wish to find in the soccer world. Challenger Sports really is your “Total Soccer Company.”
Contact our corporate offices today or locate your area’s regional director!
Challenger Sports Corporate office
8063 Flint
Lenexa, KS 66214
Telephone: (800) 878-2167 or (913) 599-4884
Fax: (913) 599-2928
Directions to the Corporate office
| Division |
Name/email |
Telephone |
| President & CEO |
Ron Matsch |
913-599-4884x 235 |
| Vice President - Marketing, Sponsorships |
Peter Arch |
913-599-4884x234 |
| Vice President - Camp Sales |
Derek Shoare |
913-599-4884x 232 |
| Vice President - Personnel, Club Trainers |
Alan Jones |
913-599-4884x233 |
| Vice President - Teamwear, Skillbuilder Camps |
Paul Lawrence |
913-599-4884x230 |
| Vice President - Tours, Camp Sales |
Andy Bennett |
800-739-9441 |
| Camp Operations, Merchandise Sales |
Steve Bayless |
913-599-4884x245 |
| Challenger World Tours - National Director |
Gareth Hughes |
913-599-4884x231 |
| British Soccer coach employment |
Mel Davies (UK) |
01495 769967 |
| Camp Registrations & Host Family Rebates |
Carol Horvath |
913-599-4884x239 |
| British Soccer - coach visas |
Paul Kumble (UK) |
02076 391586 |
| Basketball Camps Kansas City |
Josh Flett |
800-878-2167 |
| Internships - Kansas City |
Paul Lawrence |
913-599-4884x 230 |
