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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2011)
8 community july12 2011 “Right, Mate—Let’s Play Futball!” “Grab that gear from the boot!” “Right, once around the grid you go!” “Your not telling us any porkies, are ya?” “That was a brilliant, Riri!” Those were some of the strange phrases heard on the Vernonia school field a few weeks ago, as the Verno- nia Soccer Club (VSC) spent a week training with Jack Walsh and Tim Dro- han. Walsh and Drohan are two young gents from England who spent the week schooling Vernonia youth in soc- cer skills, training drills and soccer (or as they like to call it, futball) culture. It was all part of the Challenger Soccer Camp hosted by VSC. Challenger Soccer Camps pro- vide a British style, day camp experi- ence that teaches young soccer players new skills and builds confidence, while having fun at the same time. In Verno- nia, about twenty-five players ranging in age from four to twelve participated. Not only did the students learn discipline and how to dribble, trap, shoot and head the ball, they also learned about the English Premiership (the top league in England), Major League Soccer (the top league in the United States) and about some of the most famous soccer players in the world. And they learned lots of British slang and soccer terms along the way. The puzzled looks from the kids when they were first told to get on the “pitch” or tuck in their “kit” were price- less, but they sure caught on quickly, es- pecially when they had to run around the “grid” or do pushups when they didn’t hustle or were caught fooling around. By the end of the week, four year olds were sprinting across the “pitch” to avoid punishment. Don’t get the wrong idea; this was not like boot camp. A little disci- pline seemed to work for the kids and the players really seemed to enjoy their time with their new English friends. Be- sides using games to teach skills, and scrimmages for practice, the coaches gave many of the kids nicknames and played elimination trivia games to teach them more about the world of soccer. “Which futballer doesn’t play in MLS—David Beckham, Thierry Hen- ry, Landon Donovan, or Ryan Giggs?” (Giggs was the correct answer—those that answered Beckham, one of the most famous English soccer players in the world who now plays in Los Ange- les, had to run an extra lap as Jack ex- claimed- “You answered David Beck- ham? David Beckham made the MLS! Once around the grid you go!”) “What country is Lionel Mes- si from—Portugal, Spain, Argentina, or England?” (Messi, considered the world’s best player, plays for Spanish club Barcelona, but is from Argen- tina. Those that answered Eng- land were greeted in mock disbelief by Walsh: “Lionel Messi!—does that sound English to you? Tim Dro- han? Jack Walsh? Lionel Messi!? Right, you’re out!” It was Players scrimmage during the recent Challenger Soccer Camp all in fun and the hosted by the Vernonia Soccer Club. kids really en- way to spend the summer, traveling the joyed working with such knowledgeable United States and teaching American coaches, and learning the slang and soc- kids about the game of soccer. They cer terms. Don’t be surprised if you start will spend ten weeks here, traveling the hearing kids around Vernonia in the next Pacific Northwest, spending a week in few weeks constantly saying “Brilliant!” towns in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Alas- At the end of camp, each player ka and Washington. They had the week received an individual evaluation from of July 4 th off, and were planning to drive Coach Jack and Coach Tim. One of the to San Francisco and Los Angeles to see young girls was having trouble reading the sights, and swing by Las Vegas for the handwriting on her evaluation and kicks. Word is Jack won $175! asked Tim to read it to her. Another girl Drohan will turn twenty-two stood in line behind her. “Can you read this month and has been coaching for mine too, please,” she asked after Tim four years but this is his first year work- read the first card. “I know what you ing for Challenger in the United States. wrote; I just want to hear you say it.” “The tipping system is what I’m hav- she said. ing trouble with,” says Drohan, about For both the young English continued on page 9 coaches, the Challenger camps are a fun Restore, Re-explore, Rediscover Columbia County Through the Passport to Health The Columbia Health Coalition has created a passport of discounts, deals, and a watercolor map of ways to be active and healthy with your family, right here in Columbia County, with the kick-off at the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. In the passport you will find an hand painted watercolor map of bus routes, bike trails, and parks to guide you on your journey, health tips to keep you motivated, and coupon deals from local businesses. Designed for folks of all ages, you can find your free passport at the First Aid booth located by the fair office. Passports will also be distributed at summer lunch programs, and at participating businesses. The Columbia Health Coalition was established in 2008. The Coalition started with support from state and national funding for Public Health. CHC is comprised of representatives from partner agencies including Columbia Community Mental Health (Leeann Grasseth), Clatskanie Together Coalition (Breanne Mares), Vernonia Prevention Coalition (DeAnna Pearl), Vernonia Health Board (Heather Lewis), The Public Health Foundation of Columbia County (Sherrie Ford and Ashley Swanson), Scappoose Farmer’s Market (Bill Blank), The Vault (Meredith Reading), OSU Extension (Jenny Rudolph), school districts (Brenda Rafferty, Tish Hora), and the community at-large (Gary Heide). The mission is to empower the community to increase opportunities for healthy lifestyles through initiatives for policy, systems, and environmental change. The Coalition aims to change “community norms” of less healthy behaviors and create a community that supports more active forms of transportation, healthier eating and less tobacco use. Why is this important? Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use/exposure are the leading factors for increased chronic conditions. According to the Oregon Healthy Teen survey 2007-08: 17.5% of 8th graders are overweight, and 16% are obese. 18.9% of 11th graders are overweight and 9.6% are obese. The adults in Columbia County are also struggling with health issues: 36% of are overweight and 31% are obese according to the Behavior Risk Surveillance Survey 2004-07. The passport was created as a project of the coalition, with generous support from the following businesses: KOHI, the Columbia County Rider, Scappoose Farmers Market, Vernonia Open Air Market, Eisenschmidt Pool, Rainier Briarcliff Pool, The Clatskanie Recreation Center, Barlow Bikes, Clatskanie Anytime Fitness, and The Vault. the “I can’t believe it’s mine” home Lessons for children up to age 17 All lessons taught by certified swim instructor Each class is 45 min. $40 per session Session 1: July 11-July 15 Session 2: July 18-July 22 Session 3: July 25-July 29 Session 4: Aug. 15-Aug. 19 Session 5: Aug. 22-Aug. 26 Tadpole Classes for ages 6 mo-4 yrs. Three 40 min. classes Mon/Wed/Thrs $35 per session Sponsor A Child Due to cuts in funding for this program there is an additional need this year. You can help fill the gap by sponsoring a local child. Send your check to: Cedar Ridge Sponsor Swim Lessons 8210 SW Tygh Loop Tualatin, OR 97062 For sign up or for more information call Dana Hyde 503-429-9351 or email: danahiveleyhyde@gmail.com The perfect mortgage from will make you feel right at home. the “make room for more” home U.S. Bank Home Mortgage is committed to providing you with a mortgage loan that is right for you. We take the time and care to guide you through the mortgage process, so you can trust you’re making the right move. Put the strength of one of America’s leading home mortgage lenders to work for you. Because there’s no place like U.S. Bank. the “you and me at last” home Vernonia Branch 905 Bridge Street 503-429-6271 usbank.com | 888-831-7524 Mortgage loans subject to credit approval. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage loans offered through U.S. Bank National Association. ©2011 U.S. Bancorp. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.
