| Soccer Camp Guide |
Soccer Camps--Evolution | |
| Go to the Guides |  The soccer camp
concept just took a major step forward--and none too soon for the health
of American soccer. In January, 2002, your Guide traveled to the National Soccer Coaches of Association of America
(NSCAA) convention in Philadelphia to catch a presentation on the NY/NJ Metrostars
Soccer Player Development School and
Academy.This program was driven by Metrostars Coach Zambrano (shown in photo with Academy students), based on European and South American development programs, the Metrostars own 2001 pilot program, as well as a similar program by the Chicago Fire. The Metrostars camp program operates on three tiers--a summer evening Metrostars program open to all participants, a formal Metrostars soccer academy open only to select players, plus the MetroStars Camp Partners Program that affiliates with camps throughout the tristate area. Frankly, the Metrostars are lucky to be situated in a diverse community that can support such an effort. But make no mistake--grounding the soccer camp experience in a community outreach connected to a professional soccer team is the logical next step. It will help grow the base of players at all ability levels who will follow the game for life. In other regions, kids at an early age are thrown into a competitive evaluative process too soon and never develop a personal connection to the sport. Tens of thousands are dropping out of soccer starting at about age 13 JUST WHEN THEY CAN START TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TACTICS AND TEAM PLAY TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY LACK OF ABILITY. Baseball never had this problem. Many 1,000s who never dreamed of major or minor league status have a fond appreciation of the game thanks to hours spent in the neighborhood with friends in UNSUPERVISED PLAY. In the Guide's view, the soccer camp experience is a great alternative to an uninspired youth competitive system. What's the point of traveling a 100 miles so a kid can take home a trophy for a sport they never play in the backyard? Which brings me back to what the Metrostars are doing in their backyard. The multi-tier approach gives something to everybody. The impact on traditional soccer camps will be mixed. Parents of U-17 boys will now have an alternative to expensive academies in the States and overseas. At the same time, local camps are hitching on to a rising star by affiliating with the resources of a team that will likely end up doing very well by doing something very good for soccer. For more information on the academy: www.metrostarsacademy.com For information on the MetroStars Camp Partner Program is at: http://www.metrostars.com/youthsoccer/camps.htm#The Here are the current MetroStars affiliate camps :The Soccer Trainers / The Goalkeeper Club - http://www.thesoccertrainers.com, http://www.thegoalkeeperclub.com D.U.S.C./Markovic Summer Soccer Camp Kean University Soccer Camp Joe Palumbo Soccer Academy - http://www.joepalumbo.com/indexaa.htm Wild Cat Soccer Camp - http://sport.nj.com/sport/UnionWildcatSoccer Victory Soccer School Inc. - http://www.victory-soccer.com/ Warrior Soccer Camps - http://www.warriorcamps.com Washingtonville Soccer Camp Future Stars Camp - http://www.futurestarsday.com Kirkwood SC Winter Camp - http://www.kirkwoodsoccer.org National Soccer Academy USA Tab Ramos Soccer Academy - http://www.tabramos.com Brookdale Community College Jersey Blues Soccer Camp - http://www.brookdale.cc.nj.us/newdesign/community/services/sports_camps.html Kiddie Soccer & Soccer Excellence - http://www.soccer-excellence.com |
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