Future bodes well for soccer in U.S. as interest climbs

Nathan Bartlett, 15, of Sylvania Northview defends the goal Tuesday, 07/20/10, during the The Pacesetter Soccer Club week-long camp in Sylvania. Enlarge

The grass-root efforts taking place on the grass pitches this week in Sylvania could prove to be a catalyst for America becoming a soccer superpower.

That's the viewpoint of the coaches of a week-long camp where more than 200 high school players are learning the sport's technical and tactical skills conducted by the Pacesetter Soccer Club.

Dennis Bailey is one of four former players who competed in the elite English Premiere League who have well come to northwest Ohio to pass on unparalleled knowledge.

"I'm a great believer in grass-roots football," Bailey said.

"This is where it starts. Once you get a big pool, you produce players. A lot of investment has gone into grass roots in America and they're doing it the right way. Hopefully in years to come it will produce a team that will be capable of going to the Word Cup finals."

Jimmy Walker, Jr., the director of coaching for the club, founded the camp at Pacesetter Park last year.

The camp has morning sessions for kids ages 8 to 14 and an evening session for kids ages 15 to 18. The top high school players from Northview, Southview, Anthony Wayne, and Ottawa Hills are attending the event.

"It's good exposure to really high-profile coaches," Walker said. "This gets them ready for high school and club season. These are the most qualified coaches. They're working with the best."

Bailey, who played for a number of clubs in the EPL, is heavily involved in player development with youngsters back in the Birmingham, England. Bailey said America has a great untapped reservoir of potential soccer talent.

"It's just a matter of time before soccer gains more credibility in America," he said. "America produces good athletes and sportsmen who are very competitive. If soccer was higher on the list, America would be a world force. Wins on the pitch will get more people interested."

Rising junior Logan Glosser, who has started on the varsity at Ottawa Hills since he was a freshman, said he is getting a new perspective on how the game is played.

"They have a lot of experience and it's nice for them to share that with us," Glosser said.

"I think more and more kids are starting to play at a younger age. At our school our football numbers are down and our soccer numbers are up. There are more people playing soccer than ever before."

Alex Hansen, who will be a sophomore at Anthony Wayne, said he has learned quite a bit through the camp's drills.

"We do one on ones and two on twos," Hansen said. "Then we have a one-hour scrimmage. It's cool learning from the best in the world."

Des Davies, who played for Birmingham City of the EPL, said the goal is to give the young players different ideas about the game.

"Hopefully the lads are learning," Davies said. "They all get a chance to play and work on what they practiced. They've been absolutely fantastic. They get to work with different coaches. It's like a jigsaw puzzle. They get to work on different parts here and there with building blocks.

"It's a life-learning experience too. It's a friendly environment and there is no pressure."

Chris Kaulfus, who recently moved here from Texas and will be a freshman at Ottawa Hills, said the English coaches "really know what they are doing."

"They know what's going to help you," young Kaulfus said. "They don't make you do useless drills."

Founded in 1980, the Pacesetter Soccer Club has teams for boys and girls ages 8 to 19. The teams compete in local, regional, and national levels.

"One of the goals is that we'd like to see our kids go on to play at the college level," Walker said. "The best exposure is this camp."

The home of the non-profit club is Pacesetter Park, a multi-million dollar, 138-acre complex.

"These facilities match professional clubs back home," Bailey said.

"What you have here is first class."

Davies said he normally works with pros back in England.

"So it's nice to get back to the grass-roots level," he said. "I've enjoyed it so much I don't want to go home."

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6354.