Brits bring fundamentals, fun to SC soccer clinic

By Rod Haxton, editor

Soccer may never rival football, basketball and baseball in terms of popularity within the United States.
But if Phil King and Josh Evans have their way, people will someday consider it a “major” American sport in the same category as the “big three.”
In order to get there, soccer clinicians like King and Evans are building a foundation among young players across the country. And they’re doing it in some of the most unlikely places by working with soccer prospects as young as four-years-old in rural Western Kansas.
“With the younger kids we’re just trying to help them learn the basics,” says King in a distinctive British accent. “We want the older kids to learn some skills.”
King, 21, and Evans, 19, are associated with Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps, which is the most popular camp in the nation. They are among approximately 800 coaches from England who conduct clinics in the U.S.
About 100 coaches cover the Midwest region, which includes Kansas and several neighboring states. This year, about 300,000 youngsters nationwide are expected to participate in the British Soccer Camps, with 350,000 the goal for next year.
Scott Recreation Commission assistant director Jordan Shay said she learned of the British Soccer Camps while attending a trade show earlier this year. There are 19 youngsters, ages 3-13, who are participating in the week-long camp. Sessions last for about an hour for the youngest prospects while older players can take part in a half-day session.
King and Evans keep the action fast-paced with a variety of games and drills designed to improve the players’ skills and knowledge of the game.
All the publicity surrounding this year’s World Cup has naturally spilled over into increased interest in youth soccer this summer.
“Kids, and even their parents, love soccer because it’s a constant workout,” emphasizes King. “There’s no standing around like in baseball. It’s 90 minutes of activity.”
However, the two young clinicians are anything but drill sergeants.
“In England, we have something called a Curly Wurly,” Evans tells the kids surrounding him.
After offering the youngsters four possible answers, they dribble the ball to an area based on what they think the answer is. Only then does he tell them the answer is a chocolate bar. Then it’s on to the next question.
In between there are plenty of drills and activities which allow the youngsters to learn proper footwork, kicking techniques and more.
With plans to do 11-12 clinics this summer, King sees the excitement for the sport among young players and feels interest will continue to grow, along with this nation’s success internationally.
“I see the United States as an up and coming soccer country,” King says. “As good as you are now, I see the U.S. doing even better at the next World Cup in another four years.”
Right now, the goals of both clinicians are a little more modest with their young soccer players.
“We want the kids to learn more about the game, but the main thing is for them to have fun,” Evans says. “If they’re having a good time then we’re doing our job correctly.”
And he hopes that will mean a return visit to Scott City next summer with even more participants.
“Hopefully, I’ll be reassigned to this camp. I want to come back to Scott City,” Evans says. “I’m learning to love Kansas.”