Are you interested in beginning a career in soccer? Want to develop the skills you need in order to become a better player? Do you love meeting new people and socializing with friends? If so, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Camps - in partnership with Bell Canada - are ready to help athletes in their quest for soccer development, fun, and a positive soccer experience.
With summer now upon us, soccer leagues around British Columbia are in full flight and Whitecaps FC Camps have returned to help athletes all around BC to reach their soccer goals. The camps are led by professional Whitecaps FC coaching staff, including former Whitecaps FC and Canadian national team captain Sam Lenarduzzi, with the intention of allowing athletes to be challenged, educated, and enthused by a professional club environment.
With the ability to enrol in the camps immediately, athletes can join Whitecaps FC Camps for $129 plus tax per child, with coaches having the ability to enter their teams and receive $10 off for each player. In addition, three new BC communities have been selected this summer in Abbotsford, Ladner, and Mission.
The benefits of attending these camps for both girls and boys have made noticeable differences within soccer families in all regions of the province. Angela Iverson, who is the mother to daughters Ila and Anna, has seen amazing developments in her children following their participation in Whitecaps FC Camps. "For Ila, this will be the fourth time she has attended these camps. The first time we sent her, she had never played soccer before," noted Iverson. "After her first week, she was already developing soccer skills and we enrolled her with a U-9 team later that year. She now loves the sport and plays on a 'select' team."
The intangible skills the players receive are invaluable to their soccer development, as well as their relationships made with coaches and other athletes. On top of the coaching, every athlete leaves the camp with the opportunity to meet Whitecaps FC players and receive an official Camp T-shirt and poster. "There is a noticeable difference in how the participants play from the beginning of the week until the end of the camp," said Lenarduzzi, who is also Whitecaps FC manager of camps and clinics. "By the time the 'World Cup' game takes place, every single participant has improved, some more then others, and the 'development' and 'performance' programs certainly help in making everyone feel welcome."
For Iverson's other daughter, Anna, the camps have provided a wonderful social experience. "The camps are just so enthusiastic and well organized and are very instructional," she said. "The girls love it when they get their t-shirts signed and watch the first-team players juggle soccer balls before the sessions begin. We have tried other camps in the past, but this is definitely our favourite."
Whitecaps FC Camps are designed to meet both ends of the spectrum, depending upon each individual. With two different programs being offered at the same time, Whitecaps FC Camps allow a soccer experience that guarantees an enthusiastic week for everyone.
If you know someone who is interested in developing their skills in a social and fun environment, the 'development' program is the perfect fit to meet fellow soccer players, who are looking to participate in an enthusiastic atmosphere. Eligible requirements for this program are: boys and girls, U-6 to U-14 (born 2006-1998), and will be grouped by age and ability with the purpose of building and developing technique and skills in an enthusiastic environment.
For those who possess a competitive gene, the 'performance' program allows participants to progress in their development and play against other individuals with similar levels of intensity. Eligible requirements for this program are: boys and girls, U-9 to U-16 (born 2003-1996), who are motivated with the purpose of skill acceleration in a competitive environment.
For more information about Whitecaps FC Camps and to see when a camp is coming to your community, please visit http://club.whitecapsfc.com/youth/camps/.
