It's been a crazy three weeks for parents and young soccer players who are having to raise tens of thousands of dollars to participate in the national under 14 soccer championships in Moncton.

About 500 young athletes are going to be travelling from all over the country to Moncton next month, as the city gets ready to host the U14 national soccer championships beginning Oct. 5 at the University of Moncton Stadium.

"The ones from away have to raise anywhere between $20,000 to $30,000 dollars," said Kim Ganong, whose daughter Madison is on the local Codiac U14 team, representing New Brunswick for the girls at the championships. "Here we raised about $13,000 dollars."

Ganong said their team is using the money for new jerseys and gear, team-building exercises and meals. Teams coming from away also raise money for their airfare and hotels.

22 teams are going to be fighting for the national U14 soccer title next month in Moncton. (Gabrielle Fahmy) "We did a bottle drive, and we sold tickets for gift card baskets, and wine baskets," said 13-year-old Madison Ganong.

The teams only find out Labour Day weekend whether they've qualified for the nationals, leaving them about a month to raise the money.

"It's a little stressful. She was with another team last year that travelled out of the province, and the budget was more than double what we raised this time, so that was very stressful. This we're saying is a nice warmup for next year, the nationals are being held in Calgary," said Kim Ganong.

'Atlantic sports capital'

About 1,500 people are expecting to come to Moncton next month for the championships, which will impact the city's business community.

"We're committed to having the right infrastructure in place to host events like this and make Moncton the sports capital of Atlantic Canada," said Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold.

"Moncton is now known for being a hub for sports and also cultural events," said Younes Bourida, executive director of soccer New Brunswick. "There's a reputation now, and Moncton is known for taking on those challenges."

Twenty-two teams will fight for the national title next month, including the Codiac U14 representing New Brunswick for the girls, and the Fredericton District Soccer Association is sending both boys and girls teams.