Challenger British Soccer Camp

DIXFIELD -- In order to raise the level of play in any sport, it requires an extra effort and for over the past decade, hundreds of student-athletes have enjoyed an opportunity to test their skills on the soccer field.

The tradition will continue when the 12th annual Challenger British Soccer Camp resumes at Harlow Park on June 20–24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The current camp is being offered to girls from seventh to 12th grade. The campers will be coached by a member of the Challenger’s British coaching staff, who is chosen exclusively to work at the camp.

The Dirigo and Mountain Valley girls' soccer players, along with Spruce Mountain participants, utilized as a center piece for showing and sharing the countless strategies involved in the international game. The objective is for the players to gain an advantage by experiencing different training methods.

“I started hosting it to raise the level of skill,” said longtime Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin in the past regarding keeping the camp available. “I felt that I was not being able to demonstrate all the drills and tendencies used in soccer. I wanted my players exposed to these things and hopefully use them in (practices and games). It has worked perfectly.”

Although soccer is an international game, there are different styles being played throughout the world. The sport is especially popular throughout Europe and the British camp has allowed the style to be showcase in the open air of the River Valley.

Chamberlain said the cost is very reasonable and the kids don't have to travel and sleep in a hot dorm room. After a scheduled session, they still have the rest of their day to relax.

“Team wise we have gotten a better understanding of "team play," said Chamberlin. “This includes learning how to work together both on offense and defense.

The teams each compete in the Mountain Valley Conference, so it will be rewarding to see them compete against each other in the future.”

Dirigo was influenced and have been quite successful with a flat backline defense, which was used after the 2005 Challenger camp, Jenn Harvey and Kate Hutchinson era. The Cougars also use a rotating the defense, in an attempt to cover each areas of the field, against a rushing offense.