Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Max Olson, Havre Youth Soccer

British Soccer Camp gives local players a chance to keep learning

Soccer is a game that is becoming more and more appealing to today's youth and that growth was shown just this week in Havre as 41 kids have been in attendance at the annual Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp.

The 41 kids make up three separate age groups, with the biggest number of kids participating in the camp coming from the 5-8 age range. One young footballer that has gotten a chance to increase his skills at the soccer camp this week is 13-year-old Max Olson.

Olson, who was a member of the Hi-Line United U14 soccer team this past season, will be a seventh-grader this year at the Havre Middle School and said that he has been playing soccer for as long as he has been allowed to play.

Olson was one of seven kids attending the camp in the 13-17 year-old age group and also one of the most skilled players overall at the camp. Olson said that he scored several goals this past season for the United and was looking forward to playing for the United again next spring. He also said that he plans to play basketball this year at HMS.

The camp, which started Monday and runs through Friday at the Havre High soccer fields, goes through a number of different skills and even teaches the kids about the rules of the game as well as sportsmanship.

Jay Gundappa, 28, from India, is one of the camp counselors and he said he has worked with the kids on all aspects of the game from defending, to spreading out the pitch, goalkeeping, passing, ball skills and everything in between.

"It has been a lot of fun working with the kids this week," said Gundappa, who is in his first year with the British Soccer camp. "We have a lot of the younger kids in the morning and I have really enjoyed that, but I have also really liked working with the more advanced players as well."

Gundappa said he has tried to get the kids as much game action as possible, but with a smaller number of older kids in attendance, they haven't been able to field a full scrimmage, yet it has not stopped them from taking part in live action.

"We are still playing some three-on-three and things like that," Gundappa said. "With the younger kids we are playing a lot more games. With the older kids we have to adjust, but we are still teaching them how they can spread things out and create opportunities."

Before the second-to-last day of camp, the Havre Daily News caught up with Olson for five questions.

HDN: What has been your favorite part of soccer camp?

Olson: "Just playing games and learning new things."

HDN: What things have you picked up?

Olson: "Turns and skills with the ball."

HDN: Why is soccer your favorite sport?

Olson: "I like that it involves a lot of running and that you get good opportunities to score."

HDN: What does it feel like to score a goal?

Olson: "Just like you help your team and gave your team a better chance to win."

HDN: Are you a fan of soccer and if so who is your favorite team?

Olson: "Yes I am. My favorite team is FC Barcelona because of (Lionel) Messi."