Spring Break
Men's soccer second annual Rams FC
Jon Brierly
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: Sports
09/19/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's soccer team kicked off its second annual Rams Football Club Technical Training Academy this week, giving youngsters with a love for the game an opportunity to hone their skills.
Instructed by coach John O'Connor and assistant coaches Mitch Stone and Rob Czlonka, players grades Pre-K through 8 also get to work with the Rams players.
O'Connor says that does wonders for the kids. "Out here, the kids get pictures [of how to play]," he said. "We hope they can emulate that."
Run twice a week through September and October, the academy began last fall with 20 members and grew to almost 40 throughout the season. The focus is mainly on individual skills, including dribbling, passing and one-on-one exercises.
"It hopefully builds a basis with the kids for URI soccer," said O'Connor. "It's nice to see the kids going around the community with a URI soccer T-shirt on. It's pretty rewarding."
The entire soccer team volunteered to take part in the first session, playing various skill-building games with the members. At least five players are present on any normal session.
"It's good to give back," said senior captain Kedan Crosby. "We all started here at one point."
The academy is a great chance for these children not only to learn more about soccer, but have fun in the process.
"It's good for them to just have a good time," said coach O'Connor. "Somewhere down the road, they may decide not to play anymore, but all that matters is that they had a good experience."
Anyone still interested in signing up may attend a session on Mondays from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the men's soccer training fields behind the athletic complex. The cost is $150 per player. For more information contact Czlonka at rczlonka@mail.uri.edu.
Instructed by coach John O'Connor and assistant coaches Mitch Stone and Rob Czlonka, players grades Pre-K through 8 also get to work with the Rams players.
O'Connor says that does wonders for the kids. "Out here, the kids get pictures [of how to play]," he said. "We hope they can emulate that."
Run twice a week through September and October, the academy began last fall with 20 members and grew to almost 40 throughout the season. The focus is mainly on individual skills, including dribbling, passing and one-on-one exercises.
"It hopefully builds a basis with the kids for URI soccer," said O'Connor. "It's nice to see the kids going around the community with a URI soccer T-shirt on. It's pretty rewarding."
The entire soccer team volunteered to take part in the first session, playing various skill-building games with the members. At least five players are present on any normal session.
"It's good to give back," said senior captain Kedan Crosby. "We all started here at one point."
The academy is a great chance for these children not only to learn more about soccer, but have fun in the process.
"It's good for them to just have a good time," said coach O'Connor. "Somewhere down the road, they may decide not to play anymore, but all that matters is that they had a good experience."
Anyone still interested in signing up may attend a session on Mondays from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the men's soccer training fields behind the athletic complex. The cost is $150 per player. For more information contact Czlonka at rczlonka@mail.uri.edu.
