Just For Kicks
TWO soccer camps held here during the final week of 1999 provided more than 250 youngsters the opportunity to learn from and rub shoulders with several professional players. Isle youth learn
from top coachesHawaii's youth experienced practicing skills for coaches from the mainland and Canada.
Having accomplished coaches and players come to camps or clinics in Hawaii is not new.
It's a worthwhile practice that exposes local players and coaches to new or different drills, training methods and fun games to alleviate the drudgery of practice. It's a chance to exchange thoughts on coaching philosophies and perspectives.
The camp at Kapiolani Park was run by Canadian coaches John Judd and Joe Mathot, with help from Jason Mathot, Canada's U23 team captain who plays for Top Oss (Dutch first division), and Jeff Clark, who plays in Germany.
Clint Mathis and Jorge Salcedo, players for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Jessica Reifer, a Californian who plays pro ball in Switzerland, worked the camp at Waialae Iki Field.
They are motivated by the desire to give back to the game, to interact with the future of the sport in a positive manner.
"I tell the kids about my love for the game. I'm addicted to the sport," Reifer said.
"There has been tremendous progress in women's programs. There are so many opportunities out there for women.
"I tell them if they work 30 minutes a day with the ball, it will make such a difference. I try to show them fun things to do. If I can reach of couple of them, it's so satisfying."
"The kids see the games on TV. If they recognize me, maybe they will better themselves because they will think, 'He came out here and hung out with us. He's just like the guy down the street,' " Mathis said.
"I tell them soccer is my job. It has problems like any other job, but that I enjoy my job."
"If I leave anything with them, it's just to be the best player you can be no matter what the sport. That carries over to all phases of life."
This is the second year Mathis has worked a clinic here. He grew up in Georgia, played college ball at South Carolina, and has played for the U.S. men's national team.
HE is impressed with the skill level of Hawaii youngsters, indicating many have the ability to play college ball at the Division I and II levels.
"They just need commitment, even the older ones, to work on the basics, the fundamentals. Coaches can't play for the players," Mathis said.
"I try to help them realize it's a step-by-step process from youth to high school to college. Hopefully, I've given them that goal. The kids here have the ability to be phenomenal. They have to learn to sacrifice. If I can push them to be the best they can be, good."
Mathis also emphasized the importance of conditioning.
"When you change levels, it's a big step and conditioning is a big part of that because everyone stepping up is striving to be the best," he said.
Soccer has won the battle for London's new $760 million Wembley Stadium.
Wembley will be rebuilt as a soccer-only stadium and will serve as the centerpiece of England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
The decision, which scraps plans to add an athletics track, means Wembley will no longer be the focal point of a possible bid for the 2005 World Athletics Championships and 2012 Olympic Games.
Controversy erupted when Britain's sports minister, Kate Hoey, criticized the new Wembley layout, saying the 90,000-seat stadium was unsuitable for track and field and had been railroaded through by soccer interests.
