Budding soccer players from this neck of the woods have a chance to improve their skillset and learn what it takes to play the game at an elite level when the Vancouver Whitecaps of the Major Soccer League hold a five-day soccer camp July 17-21 in Corner Brook.
Brianna Fortune, a member of the Western Wolves entry in the provincial U15 female soccer league, is one of the competitive players from Corner Brook who is looking forward to attending the camp.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to have a better game and learn more skills because some of the coaches and players will have different experiences and skills they can share,” Fortune said.
Fortune, who is also a competitive gymnast and member of her Grade 8 girls basketball team at Corner Brook Intermediate, hopes she can improve her game with the help of knowledgeable coaches.
Her goal for this soccer season is to help Western earn a playoff berth in the provincial league. They finished one spot out of the playoff picture this year, so she hopes attending the Whitecaps camp can make her a better player.
The camp, which will see Whitecaps coaches and staff share their wisdom and expertise with male and female players in the 5-15 age bracket, is made possible through a partnership between the Whitecaps organization and the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association, which opened a soccer academy in the capital city a year ago with hopes of expanding across the province.
The Corner Brook Minor Soccer Association was asked by the provincial body if it would be interested in hosting a camp.
Association president Stephen Leonard thought it was a great idea, and he embraced the opportunity to have the local soccer community put out the welcome mat for the Whitecaps.
All the camp hosts had to ensure was that a minimum of 80 players register for the five-day event. The camp has a number of different training sessions for players to choose from.
Only a week after informing the membership, Leonard said there are already 40 players registered, and he has no doubt the camp will go ahead as planned.
Age-specific training
Mini: U5-U6
-Basic skills and fun
-Introductory
Skills: U7-U14
- Themed skill sessions and games
-All levels
Prospects (Competitive player): U9-U14
- Take your game to the next level
- For motivated players
Daily Schedule
Mini: 9-10:30 a.m.
Skills: – -11 a.m.
Prospects: 9-11 a.m.
Supervised lunch: 11-11:45 a.m.
Optional: 12 noon-2 p.m., afternoon World Cup tournament add-on for Skills or Prospects
