UPDATE: Summer Soccer Camp Signals British Invasion

The British are coming!

Macomb Township will play host to a group of British footballers the week of July 25 as they coach hundreds of local kids as part of the British Soccer Camps provided by Challenger Sports.

Offered through the Macomb Township Parks and Recreation Department, the week-long camp offers five programs for footballers (soccer players in America) ages 3-18. According to Challenger Sports, some 50 local kickers have already registered.

“Challenger Sports is a very professional organization with a highly trained staff and very impressive curriculum,” said Michelle Duda, parks and recreation program director. “What I like is they teach more than just soccer. They coach soccer skills within the framework of character development based on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship.”

The largest soccer camp company in the U.S. and Canada, more than 1,000 British coaches will arrive in North America this summer to coach an estimated 120,000 kids, said James Conner, Challenger Sports regional director for Michigan.

“We feel the camp program we can put together is far superior to the local high school guy with the resources we have available,” Conner said. “The big thing I took out of it (as a former coach) is it’s such a cultural experience for the kids. We see about a 1,000 coaches fly over, and to watch these kids' eyes light up when you first talk to them …  it’s obviously a huge thing with a lot of younger kids.”

Through British coaching methods, players hone their skills with technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games, coached scrimmages and daily tournaments offered as part of the camp.

“You’re definitely going to come out a more polished player,” Conner said. “We do make it very fun, yet intense, and our big thing, especially for the little guys, is having fun while you’re improving and learning.”

The camp runs Monday through Friday and offers five sessions: First Kicks, 9-10 a.m., ages 3-4, $75; Mini Soccer, 10:10-11:30 a.m., ages 5-6, $88; Half Day, 9 a.m.-noon, ages 6-9, $110; Half Day, 1-4 p.m., ages 10-14, $110; and Full Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ages 11-18, $175.

"Last summer, we had over 120 campers and we are confident we will be at that number again," Conner said.

The ratio of coaches to students varies depending on age, with more coaches for sessions with younger players, but Conner said no session for older players would see a coach-student ratio higher than 1:16.

Conner added that while full-day sessions are open to players ages 11-18, 11-year-old players won’t be grouped with 18-year-olds, thanks to multiple coaches.

Players must register for the British Soccer Camps through the parks and recreation department. The registration fee includes a free ball and shirt, and there is a $5 discount for Macomb Township residents. However, the offer to receive a free replica soccer jersey expires on July 1.

A $10 per player late fee will be assessed on applications received within 10 days of the camp’s start date and if campers do opt for the replica jersey, they must pay a $6.95 shipping and handling fee.

Families who choose to host a coach can also receive an $80 rebate. To keep program costs as low as possible, Conner said the program relies on local families to host coaches during the week of camp.

“This is something which we ask for help with,” he said. “The profit margin in the camps aren’t huge, so if we had to put them in hotels, that cost would go up dramatically. We ask for help with host families. Sometimes we struggle, sometimes not. Every coach that gets housed, the family will get an $80 rebate as a thank you.”

While Conner admits the $80 rebate doesn’t cover all costs associated with housing a coach, he said this practice only adds to the cultural exchange at the heart of the program.

Families interested in hosting a coach should contact Duda at the .