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“We are just trying to bring the British game over here,” said Thomas Fairclough, a professional soccer player with the Liverpool Football Club who is serving as one of the camp’s coaches. “We try to improve their soccer but also try to teach them about England.”
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Nine-year-old Milos Miljkovic of Onalaska, gets ready to stop a shot on goal during the British Challenger Soccer Camp held at Erickson Field.
Erik Daily |
Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player David Beckham is boosting the sport’s popularity in the U.S., but skill development is still needed, Fairclough said.
“Americans are not that advanced with soccer,” he said. “We try to teach the way we learn.”
That means the kids ages 3 to 17 are focussing on passing and playing short at Erickson Field, rather than kicking the ball as far as they can, Fairclough said. They also learn about sportsmanship, respect and leadership during the four-day camp.
“We’ve learned a lot of new tricks,” said Natalia Sotarello, 11, who will be in sixth grade at Lincoln Middle School.
One that will be useful is a spin move to keep the ball from competitors, said Aleksandra Jaszczyk, 11, who will be in sixth grade at Onalaska (Wis.) Middle School.
The girls plan on using the trick when they play, if they’re able to learn it better.
Mikan Mijkoric, 8, who will be in third grade at Northern Hills Elementary School in Onalaska, Wis., and Jack Smillie, 10, who will be in fifth grade at Emerson Elementary School, said the camp has helped them improve their passing and ball control.
They practiced some new moves Wednesday during a break and were eager for the lesson to resume.
Mijkoric used the inside of his foot to stop the ball rather than his toe.
“It’s helping” to keep it nearby, he said.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
