ATSC held its first annual team residential camp from July 29th through August 3rd. The camp was run in collaboration with the Kevin Long Soccer Academy, and was held at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.  Approximately 100 players from ATSC representing 12 teams attended the camp.  Each team worked on a curriculum developed by their team coach, ATSC Director of Coaching, and the camp staff. Several ATSC coaches joined the camp staff for the week, and the players and coaches had a fun and productive week and represented ATSC well on and off the field.

Residential camp was a new experience for many ATSC players; the days were full and the schedule was tight.  The teams trained, ate, and lived together, and they each worked as a unit to ensure all of their teammates were at the right place at the right time.  This professional-style training environment required teamwork and communication, qualities every team needs to reach their potential. Here’s what a typical day looked like:

The players woke up at 7 am and made the 10 minute walk to breakfast together.  After breakfast, they participated in a 2 hour training session, with lunch immediately afterward.  The players then enjoyed a 90 minute break before the afternoon session at 4 pm.  Following dinner the teams played evening matches from 6-8:30 pm.  After their nightly meeting the kids were lights out by 10:30pm.

The camp was a huge success for the players, the coaches, and the club.  The teams from ATSC showed well against the local teams from NJ and Pennsylvania.  The ATSC teams played the evening matches with spirit, sportsmanship, and a sense of fair play, as did their opponents.
 
Kevin Long and I, the co-directors of the camp, are already looking forward to next year, and plans for next summer are underway. Keep an eye out for information about the 2008 camp!  My hope is that the Club and its teams use this event each year as a springboard for the fall season.  It is a great opportunity to get better as players, grow closer as a team, and enjoy a week of high level training and playing.

See you all out on the fields!  Enjoy the pictures from camp!

Regards,
Grant Smith, Director of Coaching ATSC