Skip to content

Wales soccer hits the ‘hoof

British soccer — or rather football as they call it — hit Vanderhoof’s turf this summer.
30111vanderhoofWalesSoccer
Catherine Archer

British soccer — or rather football as they call it — hit Vanderhoof’s turf this summer.

During the last week of July, kids aged three to 13 learned the ways around the black checkered ball from coaches hailing from Wales on Vanderhoof’s soccer fields.

Previously in Dawson Creek and continuing on to Fraser Lake later this month, Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camps are venturing into B.C. for the first time this year, explained coach Tristan Notley of South Wales

Talent in the United Kingdom may be different, as players tend to be exposed to less variety of sports, Notley said.

“We try to give them that experience, learning the U.K. way.”

Over the course of the week, students are trained in various skills such as passing and receiving, dribbling, and shooting. They are then split up into World Cup teams for matches on Friday.

First time coaching in Canada, Notley finds Canadian kids more respectful so far.

“The kids are great, good as gold,” he said.

Eight-year-old Briar Folkeard, also involved with the Vanderhoof Soccer League and a four-year veteran in the sport, enjoyed the games the most and also learned some new terms, he said.