Nearly 25 Dawson County youngsters, ages 4-16, attended the British Soccer Camp at Rock Creek Sports Complex last week. The sessions were held from 9 a.m. until noon, each day on the soccer fields.

The number of campers was way down compared to years past. Last year, over 75 campers attended the week-long event.

The players received instruction from three coaches who are from the United Kingdom, where soccer, or football depending on who you ask, is by far the number one sport played. It is a passion for most of the world, and is trying to be accepted as the same in the United States.

Each instructor is housed with a host family during there stay in the United States.

The main idea behind British Soccer Camp is to build confidence in players.

Each of the coaches try to teach the techniques and tactics in a way that motivates the players to want to practice and to improve.

More than 750 coaches have come from the U.K. to help coach in the U.S. and more than 150,000 boys and girls in 2,000 clinics across America have taken part in these camps.

The staff focuses on teaching key techniques and technical components of soccer. Coaches also aim to teach soccer skills within a framework of character development based on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship.

The campers compete in “World Cup” games that lead to lively scrimmages.

The soccer staff tries to instill a passion for the world’s greatest game for the young athletes attending the camp.

Friday marked the last day of a long week of soccer. Each camper received a free ball and T-shirt for their participation.