By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — July 8, 2003 – Summertime brings many things with it. It brings warm weather and, for younger people, camps.
From July 14-18, the American Soccer Academy will present its 11th Annual Soccer Camp at the Town of Thompson Park. The Youth Academy, for kids ages 8 to 11, will be held in the mornings. The Senior Academy, which is geared towards kids between the ages of 12 and 17, will be held in the afternoons.
“The Town Park is a wonderful setting,” said Camp Director Betsy Johnson Conaty. “The Town has been very cooperative. Their Parks Department has been very helpful to the camp.”
Conaty is a former captain and All-American soccer player at the University of North Carolina. The staff consists of players and coaches with vast experience. The staff includes Danielle Austin, Michael Hibbert, John Maranzana, Kevin O’Shea, Peter Van Etten, Luis Velasco and Vinnie Velez.
“I am looking forward to getting a variety of players,” Conaty said. “We want to help these players elevate their game. We do this through skill and drill work.”
The staff will teach such skills as attack, midfield, defense and goalkeeping. Conaty expects anywhere from 60 to 100 campers. She stated that her students will be from various parts of Sullivan and Orange Counties.
“I always get calls from parents in September and October,” Conaty said. “They tell me how the kids did [during soccer season] and thank me for helping them. That is most gratifying.”
For more information on the camp, contact Conaty at 794-2351.