British Soccer Camp: Hands Across the Sea

British style soccer has earned wide respect – and rightfully so – all over the globe. It has the largest sports participation in the world. And now, the scenic mountain village of Ruidoso will host a British Soccer camp July 10-14, at White Mountain Sports Complex. This program will prepare children to compete properly in soccer. Sponsorship of the program is by Challenger Sports. The camps will be five days a week and be available to children ages 3-14.

Tim Lewis

Coach Tim Lewis will head this soccer tutoring, week-long event. He has played the sport in one fashion or another for 40-plus years and participated in a British Soccer camp himself as a child. “It built a passion within me immediately,” he explained. “We want to share this experience with the children and interested parents. I go out in the spring, summer or fall and teach kids how to run around and have fun. I want them to have a lifelong love for the game while being a part of this community. If you want to play this game all you need is a ball and a love for the game.”

british soccer camp 2 — Volunteers from the Lincoln County Soccer League will help make the British Soccer Camp a success.

Of course Lewis cannot carry this inclusive instruction of soccer on his own. “The league here in Ruidoso (Lincoln County Soccer League) is comprised of volunteers,” Lewis made clear. “Safety is always foremost in our minds. For instance, we don’t let 5-year-old youngsters do ‘headers.’ We take concussions very seriously. British soccer coaches build it up to make it fun. They attempt to make it interesting for the children and parents alike.

“We want the children who are interested to have more opportunities to play. We don’t start playing soccer as early here in the U.S. as they do in other parts of the world. They start young, sometimes as toddlers, in other cultures.”

Challenger Sports British Soccer camp in Ruidoso

• First Kicks – For ages three and four years old. Starting at 8 a.m. and lasts 45 minutes. This innovative program was created by childcare specialists to introduce children to the basic skills of soccer in a fun, progressive and caring manner. Campers will receive a soccer ball and T-shirt to keep. The cost is $85 for the week. For more information and/or to register you may go here.

british soccer camp 3 — The girls and boys of Lincoln County can expect expert coaching at the British Soccer Camp, July 10-14.

• Half Day Camp – For ages five and 14 years old. It starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 12 noon. This is the most popular camp program. It features individual skill development, core techniques, one-on-one skills, freestyle soccer, small-sided games and a Camp World Cup. The cost is $147 for the week. Campers will receive a soccer ball and T-shirt to keep. For more information and/or to register you may go here.

• Golden Goal Camp – For ages five and 14 years old. It starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 3 p.m. This extends the soccer day and can only be added if a camper is already enrolled in the Half Day Camp. The cost is $55 for Monday through Thursday. For more information and/or to register you may go here.

For any additional information you may contact the Lincoln County Soccer League here.

—Michael Curran