Saipan Soccer School concludes summer camp

Participants in the 2018 Saipan Soccer School Summer Camp play in a scrimmage last Friday at the TSL Sports Complex’s artificial turf. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The 2018 Saipan Soccer School Summer Camp wrapped up last Friday at the TSL Sports Complex with around 70 completing the nearly month-long event.

The camp, which started last July 9 and attended by boys and girls in the 4 to 13 age group, had participants learning individual soccer skills and team plays, doing warm-up and stretching drills, and playing fun games.

“From Monday to Thursday, we did drills to teach them soccer skills and have them mingle with their co-campers. Fridays were reserved for scrimmages by age group so they can apply what they have learned from our previous sessions,” SSS coach Cristy Villaflor said.

“We averaged between 60 and 70 campers every day, “ she added.

Matty Angeles was among the participants in the camp and a repeat costumer, as she had her first when she was just 5.

“I love to join to camp because I get to play with kids of my age and have fun with them. I also get to know new friends,” Angeles said.

While Angeles has been a regular in the camp, Maliya Benson was a first-timer and was glad to have joined this year’s event.

“I had so much fun, especially when we play games. I enjoyed every bit of my time here,” Benson said.

Players from various soccer clubs assisted SSS in working with the participants, making it easier for organizers to facilitate the camp.

“I worked with the kids for a few weeks and it’s nice to see them learn the techniques we taught them,” said Vicente Reyes, who plays goalie for Kanoa Football Club.

Reyes’ teammate Jim Kurt Maniago also lent his time to SSS to coach the participants and remembered how he was just like them.

“When I was at their game, I was also excited to play and learn. It’s so fun to coach them and share with them what I have learned from my former coaches,” Maniago said.

For MP United Football Club’s Kristopher Pascual, spending summer by coaching young children was worth it.

“Instead of doing nothing at home or just playing video games, it’s way much better to come out here and teach the kids and encourage them to be active,” the MPU goalie said.

At the conclusion of the camp, each participants received certificate of participation and loot bags from SSS and its sponsors.

Meanwhile, SSS would like to thank the volunteer-coaches, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, and the Public School System’s Food and Nutrition Services Program for their support to the camp.