By Rob Potter
SULLIVAN COUNTY — August 27, 2010 — A total of 30 young soccer players recently got a jump on the scholastic soccer season by attending the ninth annual Liberty United Soccer Club Clinic.
The clinic was held for three hours each evening from Tuesday, Aug.17 through Friday, Aug. 20 at Liberty High School. The clinic was scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 16, but inclement weather forced that evening’s session to be cancelled.
The players, who ranged in age from 12 to 18, are students in the Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor and Monticello school districts. In addition, three of the participants are home-schooled.
Guiding the players throughout the week were Coaches Carpio Ramos and Debbie Simpson, Assistant Coaches Bill Miller and Kris Ramos and Program Organizer Anne Ramos.
The players completed a series of drills, including speed ladder, cones, hurdles and hoops. They also participated in scrimmages and games.
“They are doing well and they are eager to learn the game,” Carpio Ramos said. “This clinic helps them get ready for their JV and varsity soccer teams when school begins.
“Some of these kids haven’t played soccer since last fall and they need to relearn the skills,” he added. “Their feet never forget how to walk, but their feet forget soccer skills.”
Last week’s clinic was special because it was held only a few weeks after the World Cup.
“The players were inspired by FIFA World Cup 2010 that took place in South Africa this summer,” Carpio Ramos said. “For four years the world disagrees in everything, but for this one month the world will agree because of soccer. I wanted the players to appreciate that for one month, a soccer ball can unite the world.”
As in previous years, the 2010 Liberty United Soccer Club Clinic ended with the players’ own version of the World Cup. They divided into three teams, picked countries to represent and then played games to determine which country won the cup. For example, Jamaica won the cup at last year’s clinic.
Carpio Ramos noted that this year’s clinic was very successful.
“Everybody really worked hard this year and I am proud of the progress they made,” he said. “I can’t wait for next year’s clinic.
The players who participated in this year’s clinic included: Christine Babich, Olivia Baum, Brian Bianucci, Meghan Burke, Maggi Calo, Erica Clark, Stephen Clark, Andrew Cross, Stefani Davidson, Antonio Gomes, Austin Halchak, Andy Hazelnis, Lara Heslop, Lauren Katz, Ryan Katz, Joseph Kleinberger, Paulina Kleinberger, Fredy Leal, Paul Maczaj, Will McGuire, Charlie McNellis, Elaine McNellis, Kirk Medina, Kevin Mesa, Kyle Miller, Gustavo Romero, Ilse Serapio, Ivonne Serapio, Conor Siegel and Nina Zheng.