Gettin’ their kicks

Young soccer players have fun while working on their skills

Somer Breeze-Hanson/Northwest Guardian

The summer of sports camps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord wound down this week with the Seattle Sounders FC Youth Camp. Nearly 30 kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 participated in the camp that began Monday and wrapped up today at the Child,Youth and School Services recreation fields on Lewis Main.

Sounders camp staff along with Site Director Sean Morris, who was drafted by the Sounders last year, led the campers in warm-ups, drills and games.

Morris started playing soccer when he was 3-years-old and currently plays midfielder for the Sounders U-23 Premier Development League.

“If you can stamp it in early and it catches, they’ll have that platform to grow from,” Morris said.

The campers were divided into three groups based on age and worked on drills based on the day. Monday featured dribbling, followed by passing, shooting and heading the next three days. Today’s camp included an overall compilation of the skills with organized games.

“We design something that’s not only challenging for the kids who have played, but it’s also something for the kids who are new to it. They’re still going to have fun and enjoy their experience just as much,” Morris said.

Campers either attended the 9 a.m. to noon camp each day or committed to the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. camp.

Parents watched from the bleachers dressed in Sounders apparel as their children learned the skills of their local Major League Soccer stars. One parent in particular, Stephanie Beck, watched from the shade of her vehicle. With several Sounders sticker decals, a Sounders flag and a license plate that reads “SSFCFAN,” Their clothing demonstrates the Becks are die-hard Sounders fans.

“I’m a Sounder-holic,” Beck said.

Beck was present to watch her 7-year-old son, Kie Beck work on his dribbling skills. Kie also participated in last year’s inaugural Sounders camp on JBLM.

“Since we live in Yelm it’s nice they come to Fort Lewis,” Stephanie Beck said. “I hope we can continue to keep doing this.”

Stephanie Beck’s husband serves in the Army National Guard and is currently stationed in Germany, where Stephanie is from. Before Stephanie and Kie Beck relocate to Germany they will enjoy the remainder of their Sounders season tickets. Stephanie Beck is also a member of the Sounders’ Armed Services Group.

The Sounders travel throughout the state every summer to conduct their 11-week youth camp program.

To see more photos of the Seattle Sounders FC Youth Soccer Camp visit the Northwest Guardian's multimedia section.