WEATHERFORD —  

Though, as the adage goes, Great Britain and the United States may be “separated by a common language,” they are certainly joined by a common sport. And though “football” may have a different meaning in European circles, producing a round ball on the pitch with a couple of netted goals dispels all potential confusion.

A half dozen coaches, hailing from England, Scotland and Ireland were in Weatherford during the past week, coaching and teaching soccer skills to area youth in a team camp, as well as an open individual camp, sponsored by the  Weatherford Soccer Association (WSA). The camp was held at the Cartwright Park soccer fields.

 The instructors from the British Isles are representatives of the Challenger Sports organization, with soccer camps taught by British players as their primary focus. Challenger British coaches facilitate soccer camps world-wide and has already complete about 9,000 of them this year.

“ This is the second year WSA has hosted a Challenger British Soccer Camp,” said open Camp Director Lee Scarborough, who also bears the title of Cup & Games Committee Chairman for the WSA. “ Last year we had about 45 kids registered for the individual day camp and one team camp of about 12 kids.

“They did such a good job, we signed a 3-year contract with them, so they will be back again next year, too.”

The popularity of the soccer sessions has helped grow the camp quickly. The day camp over the past week saw participation of 70 players, ranging from 3 to 14 years old. During the course of the week, the UK coaching staff imparts their knowledge to the kids for the development of individual soccer skills, with foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games and coached scrimmages as part of the curriculum.

The team camp, which consisted of several WSA Under-7 boys squads and members of an Under-6 girls team, was made possible with sponsorship by several area contributors. Dr. Olusegun of the Lung & Sleep Spec-North Texas, Dr. Rebecca Walker, DVM of Lucky Paws HouseCalls, Carolyn Roberson and Bob Cook generously helped fray the expense of the camp, making it possible for the team members to take in the special instruction. 

“This is such a good opportunity for our kids,” said team camp coordinator and coach Chris Logan. “I love our parent-coaches, because we couldn’t survive without those volunteers, but the Challenger coaches offer additional insight and new exposure to other facets the game.”

Logan explained how the camp benefit extends to the WSA coaches, as well. The Challenger mentors have provided literature while here, in addition to showing, first-hand, their instruction techniques, as several of the volunteer coaches have observed the camp. On-line access to Challenger web sites, to provide on-going perspectives in coaching remains, even after the British crew has moved on to another location to set up camp shop.

Due to the good showing of campers and the addition of a “bonus camp” in the mid-afternoon, an additional coach was brought in to help with the instruction. Included in the UK-based crew are three from England, Michael Markey from Wirral, Chris Meek from Gravesend and Chris Mason of Leeds. Both Mark Thompson and Jaime McGregor hail from Glasgow, Scotland and Ian Sheridan calls Dublin, Ireland home. While some of the instructors are enlisted as needed and will just coach through the summer months, others are nearly full time with Challenger, and spend considerable time in the states.

“One of the coaches is actually based in Kentucky,” Logan said. “He will coach from February through November, go home to Great Britain for a few months and then is back over here in February, again.”

With coached matches as part of the activities during the camp, the instructors insert an international flavor into the week, adding to the fun, and a bit of global education, as well. Teams were established, each as a different country, for the camp’s own World Cup competition.

“They play games and keep score on different things,” Scarborough explained. “They will get points for things like good sportsmanship, etc. Friday is flag day, where the kids will make the flag of the country they are representing. Thursday was “crazy hair” day. 

“It’s a lot of fun for the kids.”

The Weatherford Soccer Association, with the addition of the Challenger British-coached camps continues to add value to the overall soccer program. The WSA is entering its 31st year of operations.