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Quest Soccer Academy back for the winter

Winter session will see girls and younger players have the chance to participate

After a successful inaugural camp this fall, the Quest Soccer Academy will return for a winter session and is opening the doors to female players and a number of different age groups.

The first camp, which took place from September to November, was made available only to boys aged 11 to 18 but after a positive response, organizer and Quest University men's soccer coach Adam Day felt it was necessary to expand the program.

"The first camp went very well," he said. "We were very surprised by the amount that attended. We were only expecting around 20 players but we had 50 signed up. We're really pleased with the way it's gone and are looking forward to the winter session."

According to Day, the feedback he received from those participating in the trial run of the camp was overwhelmingly positive.

"I think the kids really like that this is a professional environment and it's a very structured session," he said.

Day said that the 10 week session is usually split into two sets of five sessions each. The first four lessons see participants work on their technical skills such as dribbling, shooting and passing, working from more basic to more advanced as the camp progresses.

The fifth lesson will see a mini World Cup tournament with camp attendees being placed on different teams.

At the conclusion of the camp, the player will receive a written evaluation from his or her coach, which discusses the player's strengths, weaknesses and tips to improve.

Day pointed out that the decision to include girls, along with nine and 10 year olds was due to demand and the increasing interest in youth soccer in Squamish.

He added that the academy hopes to remain at a ratio of one coach per eight to 12 players and he also said that he hopes to bring in a female coach or two to teach the girls.

He said that although he doesn't discourage anyone from attending the camp, the academy is for more serious players.

"This camp is for players who are serious about football," he said, noting that a similar camp held last spring found and recruited Squamish's Will Robson to the Quest men's team.

"We want to be able to produce players who can play at the university level. Players can really excel at any age which is why we're looking for young players who want to learn and develop."

The academy will take place on Wednesdays at Quest University Field starting on Jan. 12 and running until March 16.

Nine to 12-year-old boys and girls will hit the field from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. while 13 to 16-year-olds and goalkeepers are scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The cost of the program is $235 and includes a training kit that contains a soccer jersey, t-shirt and socks. Day said that the easiest way to register is online and he hopes to see some of Squamish's finest young footballers at the camp.

"We need to keep raising the bar and keep developing as a soccer community," he said.

For more information on the academy, visit www.qusocceracademy.com.

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