The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center Foundation hosted female and male youth soccer players ages 10-15 for a two-day Youth Development Soccer Camp on July 27th and 28th providing the youth with an opportunity to play the sport they love at a world class soccer facility.
The 80 youth who participated came from local community partners in Hawthorne, Watts, South Los Angeles, and Carson for an all-inclusive soccer camp. These organizations have previously participated in community clinic series and attended LA Galaxy matches; the Youth Development Camp allowed them to further hone their soccer skills.
Kicking off this memorable experience, on the first day of camp, Galaxy camps and clinics coaches introduced themselves and began separating the kids by age level to participate in soccer drills. The four groups rotated between shooting, skills, passing, and scrimmaging. Participants were then surprised by a visit from Galaxy defender Tomas Hillard-Arce who came out to talk with youth about his career path, education, and dream of playing soccer to encourage the youth to follow their love of soccer. After an afternoon of soccer and lunch, all the youth enjoyed the suite life where they watched Tottenham Hotspurs Open Training. The youth concluded their day with a backpack filled with ball, sunglasses, t-shirt, hat, pencil pouch, and Tottenham t-shirt to take home.
Youth Development Camp day two began with youth attending the Galaxy II vs. Portland Timbers II match at the Track & Field Stadium at StubHub Center. After the match, the Galaxy II players autographed t-shirts and scarfs for the participants to document the memorable experience they had at the game. The youth were excited to test out their moves with camps and clinics coaches as they scrimmaged against one another.
The day wrapped up with an educational session with Community Partner, Garden School Foundation who taught the nutritional value of eating fruits and vegetables that are in season. They ended their lesson providing the youth with a nutritional goodie bag filled with dried apples, an avocado, carrots, and recipe to make their own meal. Next up Positive Coaching Alliance, shared the powerful impact that being a positive team member and role model for others can have.
The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center Foundation will continue to provide this opportunity for youth soccer players to learn and use soccer to improve their personal as well as athletic activities in our community, both on and off the field.
