by Scott Sacry
Stevensville Youth Soccer (SYS) is once again teaming up with UK International Soccer for their 2024 Summer Camp June 17-21. This is the 6th year that SYS has had UK International run their summer camp, and, by all accounts, it has been an overwhelming success.
The main difference between this camp and your normal summer camp is the quality and level of the coaching.
“This year there are six professionally trained soccer coaches to run the camp,” said Buck Rodolph, the SYS president, “The coaches are trained specifically to be soccer coaches and run camps, so they know what they’re doing. This is a high level of training in soccer, and the kids love to be around these guys, they have fun and are able to keep the kids’ attention.”
The coaches are generally college aged, and most of the previous coaches have been from the UK, but they’ve had coaches from other countries including Mexico, New Zealand, and Germany. The UK International coaches will live with local families during the camp.
“The campers get exceptional soccer training but they also get to learn about other cultures,” said Rodolph. “First from the coaches, and then, many of the drills and special games in the camp incorporate aspects of geography, including a UK Quiz, an International Day, and World Cup competitions.”
“This is a unique experience as the international coaches bring a different experience to the camp,” said Dave Gross, a SYS board member and Stevensivlle’s girls high school soccer coach. “The quality of coaching, game preparation and teaching of techniques is above par.”
The 2024 Camp will be held at the Stevensville fields on ALC Way on June 17-21. Campers born from 2016-2019 will have a Mini-Camp from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and will focus on building their skills and teamwork, as well as knowledge of the game. Campers born from 2010-2017 will have full day camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will focus on skill development, teamwork, and game knowledge.
Stevensville Youth Soccer is a non-profit that has been around for over 20 years. Besides the camp, they run a co-ed recreational fall soccer program, which averages around 240 kids per year.
For more information about the camps and SYS go to stevisoccer.org or see their facebook and instagram pages. To find out more about UK International Soccer, go to their website at uksoccer.com.