Youth soccer
camp is seed bed
for Kentucky’s
Olympic
Development Team


By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Sports Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE–The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association held its third annual summer soccer camp at Mike Miller Park last week.

The camp, a five-day event, consisted of morning recreational sessions and evening competitive sessions.

It was open to children 6-16 years of age.

Shaun Gouldborne, camp director and head of coaching for the Mid-West Olympic Development Team, said he teaches kids the fundamental techniques of the game.

“We are planting seeds here,” Gouldborne said.

“If we keep these kids interested in playing, our Olympic program will benefit.”

“Some very good players have come out of Kentucky and I intend to keep the tradition going,” Gouldborne said.

KYSA focuses on teaching technique to young players who express an interest in soccer.

The camp’s morning sessions are designed for students whose soccer aspirations are more recreational.

The evening sessions are geared toward the competitive minded.

“We had 48 participants for the morning recreational sessions and almost 70 for the evening sessions,” Gouldborne said.

“Many of last year’s recreational campers opted for the evening competitive sessions this year.”

Talent and skill do not determine which session a participant is placed in.

The individual desire of each player is the only determining factor.

Campers had the opportunity to win awards daily and in addition to regular scrimmage games received individual and group instruction in ball handling, dribblig and scoring skills.

Goulldborne, who is from London, England and played soccer at U.K. from 1991-1993, is the head coach for Kentucky’s Olympic Development Team and also directs the efforts of the 10-state Mid-West Olympic Development Team.

“The biggest challenge we face here in Kentucky is keeping the kids interested in the game,” Gouldborne said.

“There aren’t as many opportunities to play soccer in Kentucky as there are in other states but we are working on it.”

Said Gouldborne, “These camps are a worthy cause because students take the lessons learned here foward and can use them for the rest of their lives.”