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University soccer coaches coming to instruct camp

Okanagan soccer players given opportunity for higher level instruction with coaches from UBC, UVic and former pro player
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Girls aged 13 to 15 will have the chance to improve their soccer skills and knowledge under the guidance of UVic Vikes womens soccer coach Tracy David.

Growing up in Tomslake B.C., (28 kilometres south of Dawson Creek) Tracy David loved when experienced soccer coaches came to her community for camps.

“Any time that we had people coming from B.C. Soccer Association, sometimes we would have people come in from Prince George Soccer Association to run clinics, we just gobbled it up because we never had a chance to have experts from soccer,” said David, the University of Victoria Vikes womens coach.

David, who has won three Canadian Interuniversity Sport titles with the Vikes (2004) and Alberta Pandas (1989, ‘97), said the camp will be a good opportunity for the players to have a chance to work with different coaches. She also said it will be good to give information out to any of the participants as well as parents about the university.

David, who won six national championships in 10 years while playing with the Edmonton Angels of the Alberta Major Soccer League, said the focus is on basic skills.

“You can never get enough basics,” said David. “I’m really looking forward to coming in and working with the players in the Penticton area. I’m very passionate about soccer, always have been.”

The girls camp will be two days (June 29 and 30) at Princess Margaret Secondary for a total of three hours of elite soccer instruction. Cost for two training sessions is $40. Session one is for 13 to 15-year-olds, while session two is for 15 and up.

Bruce Wilson, the Vikes mens coach, as well as Alan Koch, assistant coach of UBC’s mens team and former Major League Soccer player Srdjan Djekonovic will be instructing the other camp held at Princess Margaret from June 27 to July 2.

“No where else in B.C. are these top coaches offering to run training sessions for university program exposure to local athletes in their own communities,” said Princess Margaret athletic director John Buckley. “This is a great opportunity for local soccer athletes to be trained and exposed to university coaches.”

The camp will allow players to connect with the coaches and be exposed to that level of coaching and improve their personal skill and knowledge.  Coaches will be available to parents for questions and will give feedback on player development.

This camp will have six training sessions totaling nine hours. The cost is $175. Registration deadline is June 15.

Athletes are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible as program space is limited and is attracting interest from other Okanagan communities.

For more info and to register, contact Sam Wingham and John Buckley at JBuckley@summer.com or call 250-488-9654.