Courtesy: XK San Diego Parents News


Futsal Creates Skilled Campers

by Amberly Richardson

Thursday, July 10, 2008

About 30 kids from the San Diego soccer community are training and playing at the San Diego Futsal camp this week at the Encinitas Community Center. Attendance has increased by more than 600 percent from last year to this year, but organizer Mario Mrakovic knows there is still a long way to go.

Mrakovic feels once the adult leagues start in the fall the word will spread and the Futsal camps will get the name recognition they deserve. The energy the game brings should help carry the message. There is an unmatched enthusiasm level in Futsal, from the 6-year-olds to the big kids.

Many of the campers were return players, like 9-year-old Daniel.

“I’m not the best player, but I think that I play better now,” Danielle said. “Before I would fall for this kid’s tricks and now I can keep up with him, but he is a little bit faster.”

Then there's 7-year-old Logan, whose parents pledged not to have him participate in competitive club soccer this year after he didn’t make the team in March tryouts. Logan is working exclusively in the fun-but-challenging Futsal environment. Mrakovic can’t wait to see the progression of Logan's game. After four months of playing indoor ball, Mrakovic believes Logan would make the club team now.

More Quotes from Futsal Campers
“It helps us, it really does. It helps us warm up for tournaments and it helps us pass more. Oh, and it helps you think more because you play without coaches,” said an Encinitas Express player.

“You know what I’ve learned? Is when you get close to the goal you’re suppose to shoot the ball,” Nicholas said.

Courting More Players
Camp two in the same location will be from Aug. 11-15. There will also be two more camps offered at the Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreational Center. For more information, log on to www.sandiegofutsal.com.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com