British soccer camp sets goals for Sedona kids

Offense, defense, goal, golazo. This year, the British soccer camp took place Monday through Friday, July 9 to 13, at the West Sedona upper softball field. Facilitated by the city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department, the camp is run by Challenger Sports, a nationwide program that brings coaches from the United Kingdom to teach kids about soccer.

The program helps children with their soccer skills, confidence and understanding of the game. Coaches work to not only teach kids more about soccer, but also to help them gain skills that they are able to take with them as young adults, such as character development and cultural education.

One coach, Scott Clachers, was brought in from the U.K. and has been part of the program for three years.

“I saw an ad back home. They take coaches from the U.K. over to coach during the summer, fall and spring, and I just decided to sign up,” he said. “The coaches travel every week and are able to see kids all over the country advance their soccer skills. They are also hopeful of the things the players gain from the program and the importance of it.

“I want them to enjoy playing soccer and to hopefully continue doing it and have a good time, really. I think it’s important because we just do a lot of fun games, we don’t like to focus on competitive stuff, so it’s easy for the kids to enjoy it. Getting them to run about and enjoy playing sports.”

The camp is held every year for kids ages 6 to 16. Full days were 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and half days were from 9 a.m. to noon. For tots age 3 to 5, a special morning camp was held from 8 to 9 a.m.

For more information about the Challenger Sports, visit challengersports.com.