British Soccer Camp growing the game

Soccer is a game that is becoming increasingly popular and with the The 2014 FIFA World Cup held earlier this summer, soccer fever spread across the United States and the world.

Now that fever has spread to Havre with the British Soccer Camp in town last week.

The camp, which is held throughout the United States and Canada, is recognized as one of the best youth soccer camps available. It features experienced instructors and got around 20 kids from Havre to participate in a weeklong soccer experience that was both fun and educational.

The players participating ranged from 3 to 18 years old and learned a variety of skills that extend even beyond the playing field.

"We teach them a lot of different things," camp instructor Mark Smith said. "We have a set curriculum that we take them through. They learn the basic skills like shooting, passing and defending. But we also teach them other things like the basic principles of good sportsmanship."

Smith, who is in his fourth year as an instructor, played soccer in England at his local high school and college, then was given an opportunity to spend his summers traveling the United States, coaching soccer.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "We had a pretty good turnout this week, and I have fun working with the kids and teaching them about the game."

Brianna Rangel, 12, from Havre was one participant in the camp. Rangel has played three years of youth soccer in Havre but this was her first time participating in the British Soccer Camp.

"It's been really fun," Rangel said. "One thing that I really liked learning was our skill moves."

In addition to learning the fundamentals of soccer, the camp also gives the young players a chance to gain some valuable on-field experience through scrimmaging.

Evan Baldwin, 7, from Havre, who has two years of youth soccer under his belt and attended the camp for the second straight year said that the scrimmages are his favorite part.

"The scrimmages are fun," Baldwin said. "I also liked learning new moves."

The British Soccer Camp, which instructs thousands of youth soccer players, has become an annual August event at the HHS soccer fields and as the sport continues to grow in Havre, its presence has become a regular part of summer sports schedule.