PAGE 24

June 2006

Bellevue Girls Train with Mia Hamm

physically exhausted, but when you are

soccer with each other and who beats

By Leslie Groce

on the pitch, you give it your all, 100% of

who. I hope Courtney doesn't see that

WSYSA Communications Director

the time. Coach Cossaboon remembered

interview!" said Conley. "Meeting other

hat are the odds of winning an all-

W

watching Mia in her college years, play-

girls from around the country was pretty

ing with broken bones, bleeding cuts,

cool; there was one girl from California

expense-paid trip to train with Mia

physical exhaustion - she never gave up.

that I had played against in the Surf Cup

Hamm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Cable

Mia's most inspirational player was

in San Diego two years ago," she added.

network provider Comcast ran such a

Washington native, Michelle Akers.

Courtney also found herself having

contest to promote Sportskool, an On-

Michelle never quit playing, refused to

lunch with the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale

Demand video training log where sport

come off the field if hurt, and played

and the Commissioner of Broward

heroes such as Mia Hamm, Bill Walton,

right up to the day she physically had to

County. "They seemed to be very inter-

and Nomar Garciaparva teach skills and

quit playing soccer due to Chronic

ested in the fact that we came all the way

techniques used in many major sports.

Fatigue Syndrome.

from Washington just to play soccer for

First prize in the contest was a training

Courtney was especially inspired,

the day. They told me the next time we

session in Florida featuring Mia Hamm

because she has been playing with an

visit the area, they would like to take us

and John Cossaboon (Women's Head

injury that the doctors say won't heel

to a Marlin or Dolphin game as their

Coach, Southern Methodist University).

until she stops growing. "Many times it is

guests.

A strong advocate and user of the

very painful when I'm out on the field,

Conley has started using two new

Sportskool program, Rick Nemyre,

but I try not to let it interfere with my

moves that Mia taught during the train-

coach of the GU-15 EYSA Bellevue Blast

game. I have had to change the way I

ing. "I haven't had a chance to share the

decided to take his chances and entered

kick and shoot, so in a way I have adapt-

new moves with my teammates yet,

the names of both his daughters into the

ed, but I always try to play my hardest

because our team is just starting to prac-

contest. Both girls have played soccer

Conley and Mia after practice

and stay focused on the game, not

tice again."

since the age of five.

myself," she explained.

Like many of her US Women's

Late in January, Rick received the

Because they traveled the farthest

She is the Michael Jordan of soccer,"

National Team teammates, Mia is quiet,

call that his 13-year-old daughter Conley,

across country, much media attention

declared Rick.

very focused and works hard at what she

was one of ten contest winners nation-

was placed on the Nemyre girls, and

"I try to play hard all the time, but I

does. She takes her job and her status as

wide. Better yet, 17-year-old daughter

Conley will be featured in future com-

am smaller than most girls my age, so

Soccer Ambassador very seriously. "I

mercials promoting Sportskool on net-

Courtney (EYSA Lake Hills Pumas) was

seeing Mia close up, she is not that big

really think that Mia is and will always be

work television such as CNN and ESPN.

also invited to attend the one-day event

and that gives me a lot of hope," added

an icon to soccer. Mia really is the first

"One interviewer kept me for about 15

in late February.

Conley. "She even made fun of herself

name that most people, especially girls,

minutes asking me all kinds of questions

Along with the Sportskool contest

when she goofed on the ball once. I

think of when asked to name a female

about soccer in Washington, playing in

winners, an additional 50 local girls par-

think most stars would make excuses

athlete, let alone one that plays soccer.

rain all the time, do my sister and I play

ticipated in the training session; these

and tried to cover it up. She really is an

five squads came from high school varsi-

idol to me." s

ty teams, Premier Level teams, and the

2005 High School State and SE Regional

Parent's Guide to

Championship teams. Six training areas

were set-up and teams rotated through

Choosing a Soccer

each training area, working with trained

Camp

coaches. Mia filtered through each ses-

sion and worked with each team on

(continued from page 22)

techniques, actively participating in the

drills with the girls. One session had

around 1 to 12. Anything greater can

Conley playing 4v4 with Mia on her team

only impact the quality of the instruc-

and Conley scored a goal on an assist

tional program. Another good ques-

from Mia. "Definitely, my favorite expe-

tion to ask is how the instructional

rience of the day!" exclaimed Conley.

groups are organized. Are they

Following the sessions, Mia and

grouped by ability, gender, age, or a

Coach Cossaboon gave an inspirational

combination of these? Is the camp

talk about learning to play mentally as

well as physically when you play sports

prepared to handle a child with spe-

at this caliber and really want to win the

cial needs?

The Nemyre family in Florida

game. You may be hurt, you could be

Camp location

You also need to take into con-

sideration where the camp is located

Nor thwest's Leading Supplier

and what types of support facilities

are available. Is the surface grass, turf,

or some other type of surface? The

answer can impact the type of

footwear a player may wear. Good

quality grass is ideal, but be careful

with  other  surfaces  especially

because of weather related issues. Hot

Portable - Official - Wheels - Fold-up Youth Goals - Micro Goals

weather on turf or dirt can make for a

Highest Quality - All Steel

very long week for young players.

Here are some other facilities aspects

Free brochures available

to consider.

See our new website

·

Are there adequate restroom facil-

www.sportsfab.com · sportsfab@qwest.net

ities?

·

Is there shade nearby or is it pro-

vided (i.e. tents)?

SPORTS-FAB

·

Do the organizers have access to

NOW AVAILABLE:

a phone in case of an emergency?

Small-sided Program Goals,

·

9331 NE Colfax, Suite 207

Do they provide water or ice?

available in 6'x6' or 6'x8'

·

Can the camp be contacted by

Fold up or Deluxe

Portland, OR 97220

the parents while on site?

·

Can the camp handle children

arriving early or being picked up

503-408-0920

800-342-6350

late? s