BAHS soccer players provide instruction at youth soccer camp
Isaac Boring remembers taking part in the Goal Getters Kids Soccer Camp a decade ago.
“I was eight or nine-years old the first time I went to it,” said Boring, now an incoming senior midfielder for Butler High School’s varsity boys team. “I had played soccer before that, but it’s one of my earliest soccer memories.
“It gave me something to look forward to and helped me set a goal of becoming as good as the high school players who were there.”
Last week, Boring was on the other side, as a volunteer coach giving instructions and tips to youth players ages four to 12 at the camp, which was held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 25-28 at the Butler County Soccer Association fields in Center Township.
“This was the second year I helped with it,” he added. “It’s good to see young players get involved in the game. We want players to keep coming into the high school team to keep it strong.”
The camp has been held for over a decade. A registration fee of $45 per camper ($40 for each additional youth from the same family) was collected with proceeds going to the boys and girls teams at the high school.
“We use the money for socks that are part of the uniforms, practice T-shirts and to help stock the concession stand for the upcoming season,” said Chris Wisda, co-president of the Butler boys soccer boosters.
She added that the event usually yields between $2,000 and $2,500 and this year’s camp fell within that range.
Fifty campers took part this year and were divided into age groups, each spending time at six different stations where skills such as dribbling, passing, footwork and agility were highlighted.
Scrimmages were also held, during which the young players pitted their abilities against each other while in a team setting.
All of the activities were overseen by the volunteer coaches, which numbered 50 throughout the week.
“Some of them were able to be there all four days, while others could make it just a day or two,” Wisda said. “Some of them have jobs or had prior commitments. We were just glad they wanted to help out and accommodated their schedules.”
Tori Stevenson, a senior center-back for Butler’s girls team, has been playing soccer since she was just three years old. She found that her passion for the sport extends beyond playing.
“Coaching the kids was a blast,” she said. “It’s fun to interact with them, inspire them and see them enjoying the game.”
Wisda sees the annual event as a way for everyone involved to learn and grow.
“A lot of the volunteer coaches got their start in soccer at this camp,” she said. “Now it’s an opportunity for them to learn about leadership and what it means to give back to the community.”
