By James Clarke - Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Whitecap stalwart and Canadian soccer legend Sam Lenarduzzi will be patrolling the pitches up at Springwood Park next Saturday as he heads up a Whitecaps FC youth camp.
A reminder to the parents of local young footballers that Canadian Soccer hall of famer Sam Lenarduzzi will be overseeing a Vancouver Whitecaps FC camp in Parksville Sept. 12.
Slated for Springwood Park, the camp is open to boys and girls of all skill levels aged 5-15. Space is limited to 140 players, and the camp is divided up into groups no bigger than 14 based on age and skill. Each participant also receives a camp T-shirt.
Testament to the football club’s commitment to the game at a grass roots level can be seen on pitches throughout the province. The Whitecaps operate camps throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond including Vancouver Island and Northern BC. The Whitecaps also have a full summer of camps in the Okanagan.
According to a Whitecaps’ press release, the camps are designed as age-specific training programs with the objective “to ensure players of all levels are challenged, focused and have fun in a professional development environment.”
An additional objective is for Whitecaps staff to scout and evaluate players in the various regions, and give those players the chance to play in the club’s Prospects youth system.
“This connection is what makes the Whitecaps camp program so successful and unique,” said Lenarduzzi. The decorated Canadian who leads top-class professional instruction from Whitecaps FC youth coaches and players and attends all camps in person, serving as the camp manager and regional scout.
The original captain of the Whitecaps, where he played for nine seasons, Sam has also represented Canada in over 47 matches.
For more information call 250-729-9400 or go to www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/islandcamps.
