Sisters kids develop soccer skills

Some learned to attack the net as goal-scoring strikers. Some simply learned to kick the ball with the side of the foot instead of the toe.

Whatever their age and skill level, Sisters soccer players took to the field at Sisters High School with enthusiasm last week for a UK International Soccer Camp taught by young and talented traveling coaches from England.

The coaches worked through the week with their own individual cadre of students. The four-to-six-year-olds enjoyed “Fun in the Sun” — simple instruction in the basics of soccer.

“Skills and Thrills” raised the bar for the seven-to-10-year-old group. As Coach Joe Corah from Leeds said, the focus was to “develop them technically a bit.”

Paul Fullhart, age nine, said he was learning to “keep your head up” and to “shoot with the side of your foot” for accuracy.

The 10 to 16 age group got more instruction on offensive and defensive skills and tactics.

Hannah King, 11, said she was learning “defense and stuff” and was able to proudly report that she had scored a goal in one of the camp’s frequent scrimmages.

“Some of the kids have really great technical abilities,” said Scott Telfer, who hails from Leicester.

Many of the students are in their second or third year attending the camp — as are some of the coaches.

The young men are all soccer players in England (actually, they play “football”) and were encouraged by coaches to join the program.

They get to have plenty of fun off the soccer pitch as well. Paul Bailey reported that host families have taken them jet skiing, wakeboarding, bowling, go-carting.

“The Americans’ hospitality is something else,” Joe Corah said.

UK International Soccer Camps are conducted across the United States throughout the summer. Scott Telfer said that the coaches have had a great time at each camp — except for his time in Phoenix last month when temperatures soared to a brutal 120 degrees, “cooling off” to 90 at night.

UK Soccer Camps emphasize the fun in the game. The joy is evident in both the coaches and the players — and many of both will be back next summer in Sisters.