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Let’s face it – we live in a monkey see, monkey do world.
After watching Europe dominate soccer for decades, millions of American children picked up a ball, tossed it into the backyard and started to kick it around – just like our brothers and sisters across that giant Atlantic pond.
As a result, soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States – something that didn’t seem possible 20 years ago.
This month, the mimicked monkey comes to the Tri-parish area to teach its pupil a thing or two about the world’s game.
Eurotech Soccer Academy returns to Louisiana for the 13th-straight year this month to host its annual summer camp at Nicholls State University.
Taking place from July 22-28, the camp features several European coaches who are ready to introduce their flavor of soccer to interested pupils ranging from early youth to teenagers.
“The thing that makes this special is that the coaches who conduct the camp come in from all over the world,” says Eurotech Regional Director and Nicholls State soccer coach Dylan Harrison. “Pretty much every one of their coaches is from a country other than the United States. So they come in and run a bunch of different sessions and expose the kids to a ton of training. … The big thing that is really unique is the kids here will learn from people who are raised in different cultures and who play the game differently. Here, we mix it all into one.”
The Eurotech camp takes nothing for granted – virtually every aspect of soccer is covered in the week-long event.
Session 1, which takes place from July 22-25 will focus primarily on individual techniques and tactics.
Session 2 of the camp runs from July 25-28 and focuses on polishing player’s striking and finishing skills.
Parents who sign up their children can pick one or the other when registering their child.
That’s if they don’t opt to choose Session 3, which runs from July 22-28 and is both sessions 1 and 2 combined into one.
The package chosen determines the price for the camp. The prices vary from $450-1,000 depending on whether a camper needs housing for the week.
Harrison said no matter which session is chosen, a child will leave Nicholls more polished in their game than before.
“The kids here are exposed to things that they haven’t been exposed to in the past,” Harrison says. “A lot of our local coaches, including myself, are from the area and even we learn from them when they come here.”
Because the camp’s personnel is almost exclusively European, they have that rich love for the game that is unrivaled across the world – a love that has not yet become common within America.
Harrison said because of that, the camp counselors always go the extra mile to make sure that everyone is accommodated during the event.
“They love soccer,” Harrison says. “The passion that these coaches bring when they come here is something that’s good to see. They are pretty demanding of the kids and that’s the way that things are over there, so they introduce that level of commitment to our local players. That’s a great thing.”
Those interested in signing up for the event should visit www.eurotechsoccer.com for more information.
Campers from out of town shouldn’t worry, as housing is available to children wishing to stay the entire week at Nicholls.
Harrison said he believes it’s worth it.
How better to imitate the monkey than to see him in person?
“This is a great event,” Harrison said. “It’s been very successful and we think that it’s a good get for anyone who loves soccer and wants to know more about the game. Everyone who comes here learns something new.”
Elsewhere in the Tri-parishes:
Don’t like futbol, but instead prefer American football?
No worries – this month is still yours to be had.
Vandebilt Catholic High School will host its annual youth football camp from July 9-10 at the school’s field.
Designed to improve players in grades 3-8, the camp costs $100 and includes a t-shirt for everyone who signs up.
For more information, those interested should call Terriers coach Brad Villavaso at 985-709-9852.
Just down the road in Thibodaux, E.D. White will host its football skills camp from July 16-18 at the school’s field.
The Cardinals’ camp will cater to children grades 4-8 and will feature basic football fundamentals.
The cost to register for E.D. White’s event is $80 and also includes a t-shirt for the child.
For more information, contact camp instructor Chris Bergeron at 446-8486.
But what if you don’t want to polish your craft, but instead want to watch the pros perfect their skillset?
Then you should probably head to Nicholls State University on July 14 for the 2012 Iberia Bank Air-it-Out Quarterback Challenge.
The culmination of the week-long Manning Passing Academy, the quarterback competition serves as an accuracy test of some of the best college quarterbacks in the country.
Former collegiate standouts and top draft picks like Andrew Luck, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick have all taken part in the event in years past.
Not competing in the challenge are NFL standouts Peyton and Eli Manning, but both toss passes to receivers during the event.
Also regulars are ESPN NFL analysts Jon Gruden and Jesse Palmer.
Tickets for the always-popular event cost $8 before July 14 and $10 the day of the event.
They can be purchased at www.nichollstickets.com.
Local youth soccer players Gregory Simoneaux (third from left) and teammate Maddox Billiot (far right) try to beat a pair of Raceland youngsters to a free ball.
