THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 5, 1995 TAG: 9507010140
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
World Cup. U.S. Cup. Olympic Games. Junior Olympic Games. Olympic Developmental Programs. National teams, state teams. Private clubs. The Hampton Roads Soccer Council. Youth programs. High school competition.
Hey, let's face it. . . .soccer has arrived in the United States whether diehards like it or not.
And with the vast increase in popularity comes a big jump in programs for training athletes.
Locally, soccer camps are springing up all over the place.
A pair of camps were held last week - at Tabernacle Baptist School and at Cape Henry Collegiate. Both have enlisted the help of Mariners and Piranhas local players and other collegiate and professional players.
Several other camps are scheduled in the area for the coming weeks.
And the camps are already beginning to see the fruits of their labors, as South Hampton Roads is starting to produce some of the best youth soccer players in the country. Virginia Beach alone has several kids on the age group national pool teams and many more are top-notch Division I college players.
``We're not only producing the numbers of kids playing soccer, but also the quality,'' said Jeff Steckroth, varsity coach at Ocean Lakes High and last year's U-17 girls state Olympic Developmental Program coach.
Steckroth, who began his involvement in area soccer in 1973 as the Norfolk Collegiate coach, said he isn't surprised at the growth of soccer in the area.
``It's phenomenal,'' he said. ``But I always suspected that it would be.''
The biggest growth in area soccer is among younger players, especially those in the 6-12 age group. Clubs like Atlantic and Beach FC provide training at all levels, but summer camps are playing a big role.
``These camps are making it fun for the kids and that makes it easy for them to stay interested,'' Steckroth said. ``Nearly every kid in the 6-12 age group will play some soccer at some point.''
And they're getting a kick out of it, too! MEMO: CAMPS AND TRYOUTS
The Atlantic Blast U-14 boys select travel soccer team will conduct
tryouts for premier players with birthdays after Aug. 1, 1981.
Info on sites and times: 498-8335.
The Soccer Academy select summer soccer camp for boys and girls 7-15
will be held July 31 through Aug. 4 in Virginia Beach.
Info and applications: 471-2764.
The fourth annual Virginia All-Star Soccer Camp will be held from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24-28 at Cape Henry Collegiate. Half day camps from
9 a.m. to noon are also available. Camp fees are $75 for 5-6 half day
beginners camp; $135 for 7-15 full day campers; and $160 for 10-17 full
day premier and junior premier campers. Lunch, ball, T-shirt and water
cup will be provided to all full day campers.
Info: Ed Faubert at 463-9927.
Three sessions of the Marlins Soccer Camps for boys and girls will be
held by Sonny Travis at Virginia Wesleyan College. Back of the Net camp
will be held for ages 8-18 from July 10-14 for $100. Advanced day camp
for ages 8-18 will be held July 17-21 for $165. Mariners Week for ages
6-18 will be held July 24-28 for $150.
Info: Travis at 455-3387 days and 471-1450 evenings.
The Atlantic Seahawks U-11 boys select travel team will conduct open
tryouts this month for players borm between Aug. 1, 1983 and July 31,
1984.
Info: 420-5080.
An all-girls individual and team soccer camp will be held at Cape
Henry Collegiate School July 31 through Aug. 4 in three sessions -
9-11:45 a.m. juniors (5-9) for $65; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. intermediate (9-13)
for $100; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. senior (13-17) for $150.
Info: Steve Luoma at 481-9478, ext. 369.
ILLUSTRATION: Fancy footwork
Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Nicholas Bains, 4, gets some tips on footwork from Bryan Harrell,
who plays for Norfolk Collegiate. Guarding the goal at right is
Chris Barnard with Virginia Commonwealth University.
by CNB