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
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