First British European Soccer Experience A Toss-Up

BROOKSVILLE - This summer isn't looking like the best economically for Brooksville's first British European soccer camp experience.

But it's happening anyway, and if organizers can raise enough money, kids whose families are struggling to pay the bills may have the opportunity to attend the camp for free. Organized through the Brooksville Raid Soccer Club, three international coaches from the British European Soccer Tuition, known as BEST, will arrive in Hernando County to host the area's first BEST soccer camp.

They have paid for their own plane tickets and a month's rent in a Hernando Beach house and are prepared to host at least a week's worth of double-session, intense soccer camp for local young soccer players. The only problem is, the worsening economy is causing many local parents who initially expressed interest to say they cannot afford the camp's $100 fee for 15 hours of coaching.

"Parents are saying they just can't do it, but we're going to do whatever we can to help them," said camp coordinator Neil Riddle, who is now soliciting financial aid for scholarships from businesses and private donations.

A Brooksville resident, Riddle said he has been looking to bring a quality soccer camp to the county for years.

"Normally kids have to go away to camp, and they're very expensive - but most of them are babysitting services," he said. "These are former pro players, and coaches who are really going to coach them and teach them, not just kick the ball around."

Riddle, who is coaching director for the Brooksville Raid and head coach for Hernando High School girls' soccer, said he has about 60 kids signed up for the camp so far, ranging in age from 10 to 17.

A native of the United Kingdom, Riddle said the camp will aim to give local youngsters a more global perspective on the sport.

"Soccer in England is a passion," he said. "It's a way of life, and there's an entire different philosophy for teaching it. Kids have a lot more fun."

The camp will also include coaching workshops for local parent volunteers to learn new coaching methods, he said.

The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day July 7-11 at Ernie Weaver Park in Brooksville. For campers who sign up for both sessions, the coaches will provide an extra 15 hours of coaching the following week for free.

Riddle said the camp's staff, which brings a popular soccer camp to Philadelphia each summer, is hoping to develop a similar following in Brooksville. That's why while they may not be making money, they'll still be building a positive reputation in the area, he said.

For more information, call Riddle at 352-544-1022.