PROVO -- Every summer swarms of young soccer players brave the sweltering Utah heat, eager to perfect their skills and possibly be discovered by the BYU coaches. Young athletes with dreams of becoming a standout player, come to camp with the realization that big dreams require extensive work and effort in the off-season.
For the past 11 years BYU and the Cougar soccer teams have sponsored one of the largest soccer camps for youth in the state. Almost 1,800 campers registered for the Cougar camps last year, which take place over seven weeks during the summer months.
The soccer camp, which registers youth ages five to 18, is the largest camp held at BYU. Men's basketball comes in second with around 1,000 participants.
Space is limited for these highly popular camps. Some 2006 sessions have already sold out. Camps are limited to 340 girls and boys each week. The camps are available for all skill levels.
The head coaches of both the men's and women's Cougar soccer teams, Chris Watkins and Jennifer Rockwood, direct the camps. The staff also includes current and former players from both nationally recognized teams.
In her 11th year as the women's soccer coach, Rockwood has guided her team to national prominence and established herself as one of the premier coaches in Division I soccer. Her BYU squad has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances in the last eight years, including three "Sweet Sixteen" finishes. BYU made its first "Elite Eight" appearance in 2003, finishing No. 5. Rockwood ranks tenth in winning percentage among active NCAA coaches.
Watkins has guided the BYU men's club team to seven Collegiate Club National Championships. Watkins was also the driving force behind BYU's decision to move from collegiate to semi-pro status in 2003. BYU is the first university sponsored soccer team to ever acquire a franchise that competes as a level considered higher than NCAA soccer.
The setting is perfect for young players who have big dreams of becoming standout soccer players. With Rockwood and Watkins on hand to give one-on-one instruction to the campers, participants are guaranteed to receive excellent coaching that will improve their game.
Campers can expect to gain extensive technical and tactical knowledge, including training on offensive attacks. Athletes focus on the fundamentals, with an emphasis on footwork, dribbling, passing/receiving and shooting. Campers have opportunities to practice their skills during scrimmages and games.
With the BYU coaching staff personally on hand overseeing the camp, many athletes who have played for the Cougars were discovered at one of these camps. For those athletes hoping to play at the collegiate level, attending camp is an excellent way to be seen by coaches at an early age.
"Our camps have become a great recruiting tool for us," said Rockwood. "The camps give us coaches an opportunity to evaluate players over a week-long period. It's a unique opportunity to work closely with some very talented players."
Although the girls and boys are separated much of the time, they combine for several activities, including coed games and a fireside hosted by current BYU players.
For campers who attend the BYU soccer camps, the camps are a time to have fun playing the game while also developing new skills. And for some it is the time to ensure that their big dreams become big-time reality.
Boys and Girls Soccer
Boys and Girls
Beginning--Advanced
Cost: Non-housing $289, Housing $389
Camp I: June 12--16 (ages 11-15)
Camp II: July 10--14 (ages 12--18)
Camp III: July 17--21 (ages 12--18)
Camp IV: July 24--28 (ages 12--18)
Cubs Soccer
Boys and Girls, Ages 7--12
Camp I: June 5-9--Cost: $110
Camp II: July 3-7 (no camp July 4th) --Cost: $90
Camp III: July 5-7-- Cost: $65
Camp I and Camp II schedule: 8:00 a.m. -- Noon
Camp III schedule: 2 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Please Note:
Camp I includes: 20 hrs of instruction
Camp II includes: 16 hrs of instruction
Camp III includes: 9 hrs of instruction
Mini-Cubs Soccer--Learn to Play
Boys and Girls, Ages 5--7 only
June 5-8, 2006
Schedule: 2:00--4:00 p.m.
Beginning