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Whitecaps hosting kids soccer camps this week in Nanaimo

Jul 24, 2017 | 12:50 PM

NANAIMO — Young soccer players will have the chance to develop their skills and meet one of their heroes from the Vancouver Whitecaps this week.
 
Mauro Rosales will be on hand along with other some other local coaches for a full week of drills and scrimmages at May Bennett Pioneer Park.
 
The skills sessions run until Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with an optional “World Cup” tournament that will go daily from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
Whitecaps Upper Island Academy Centre Coach Kevin Lindo says there will be a prospects level for the more competitive kids, and an entry level for players who are looking more for recreation and a chance to meet new people.
 
“We just want to give a bit of exposure to the Whitecaps programming. We do think we bring a professional outlook to the program and we’re here to inspire kids and hopefully teach them some new things,” said Lindo.
 
Last year there were about 50 kids out for the daily sessions, and organizers are expecting more than that this time around.
 
Lindo says the chance to meet Rosales is a good draw as well.
 
“In terms of interaction Mauro will be involved with the kids as they play,” said Lindo. “But what’s really cool is they get a chance to have a Q and A with him, and he’ll do some signing sessions too.”
 
A lot of the players this week will be from Nanaimo but typically the event attracts players from elsewhere, even families on vacation.
 
Lindo says the camp always brings a crop of highly motivated players and this week the kids and their families will enjoy a professionally run camp that has the players interests at heart.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77