By Kirk Stewart
The Bryant Soccer Club recently hosted a British Soccer Camp. It ran from July 13 to July 17 at the Midland Fields. The camp was instructed by four coaches from England teaching a variety of skills and techniques. Techniques like proper foot work, trapping, ball handling, first touch skills and shooting skills.
These coaches travel throughout the country teaching week-long camps mixing in soccer fundamentals while providing a culture experience as well. Each group of children is assigned a nationality as its team identifier. Throughout the week, the teams become more familiar with the country that their team represents. They sample some cuisine, learn some history, geography – basically get a feel for the culture. The final day culminates in a friendly competition as some of the kids come dressed as athletes from their particular country – complete with face paint, colored hairspray and the like.
“The coaches make this a fun experience for the kids,” Bryant Soccer Club representative Shane Haas says. “The coaches really focus on the kids and have a great time with them.”
The coaches are Daniel Kitchen, Konrad Bania, Stephen Riley and Thomas (JT) Taylor.[more]
Daniel Kitchen, age 21, says, “I currently play for two Soccer teams, I play University (college) Soccer for Manchester Metropolitan University Men’s Soccer and I also play for a semi professional team called New Mills AFC in the Northwest Counties League of England. I began playing soccer when I was 6 and have never looked back. I have been fortunate as a player and have won various league titles and Cup competitions many of which with the First Team I played for Reddish Vulcan JFC.”
Daniel was born in Manchester, North West England; the oldest of three children and is in his third year of study at Manchester Metropolitan University, studying Coaching and Sports Development.
Konrad Bania, age 24, is originally from South Poland about 100 miles from Warsaw. He’s a first year student at Southampton Solent University studying Football Studies.
Konrad says, “Sport is my life. I'm very active and playing/watching most sports like volleyball, table tennis, tennis. During winter, I love snowboarding and going to gym. I enjoy going out with my friends as well as staying at home.”
Stephen Riley, age 23, was born in Liverpool but spent much of his childhood in Belfast. His mother was originally from there. Stephen is currently attending UCLAN University and is FA qualified coach and finishing up a sports coaching degree.
He adds, “I’ve been involved in football since a young age. I have played mainly for my local town from that age ‘til present. I also represented my school team and college whilst a student there.”
Thomas (JT) Taylor, age 21, says “I’ve been involved in soccer since the age of 6. I played all the way through high school and played for Boston United Centre of Excellence. I currently play at a high level for my University.”
He also has his FA level 1 and 2 coaching badges as well as a BTEC National Diploma in Sport Science, a degree in Biology/Chemistry and is in his final year of a BSc Degree in Sport and Exercise Science. JT is from Truro the capital city of Cornwall.
