Berkshire Soccer Academy and World Cup Champions Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly & Tisha Hoch to run March 2016, Florida Spring Break Overnight Camp
(PRWEB) January 14, 2016 -- The Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls ("BSA") and Team First Soccer Academy, a teaching partnership of US Women’s National Team Legends Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Hoch, and University of Texas Head Coach Ange Kelly, have partnered to create TeamFirst’s first overnight Spring Break soccer camp. The camp will run from Monday, March 21 to Thursday, March 24 at Camp Geneva in Fruitland Park, Florida, approximately one hour northwest of Orlando. During twice daily soccer training sessions, Hamm, Lilly, Hoch and Kelly, and their impressive coaching staff, will deliver world-class soccer instruction. Girls will be challenged in game-like situations to play outside of their comfort zone, pushing their limits as individual players while having a blast. Off the field, athletes will enjoy a private lake, pool, beautiful camp setting and fun elective and evening activities. Camp enrollment is limited to 150 girls, ages 10 - 17.
The Spring Break camp follows on the success of TeamFirst and BSA’s sold out 2014 and 2015 overnight camps at BSA’s Otis, Massachusetts facility. Mia Hamm had this to say about TeamFirst’s partnership with BSA. “When we first arrived at the Berkshire Soccer Academy, we didn’t know what to expect since we had never run an overnight camp. By the time we left, we had embraced the unique combination of soccer and traditional camp. Our second summer was even better. The combination of intense soccer instruction and competition, trying new activities and living in cabins with girls from all over was fantastic. The girls improved their soccer as much as we’ve ever seen. More importantly, they grew more mature, confident and independent. It seemed only logical to extend this successful concept to another season, so that we can offer it to more soccer-loving girls.”
Added Kristine Lilly, “Our Berkshire Soccer Academy camps helped our campers understand that personal growth and team success are not mutually exclusive. The camps helped girls cultivate a sense of self-worth that will help them reach their full potential in life. We are delighted to be able to offer this experience to our Spring Break campers.”
Liza Wittenberg, one of the Camp’s Directors, described Hamm, Lilly, Hoch and Kelly’s involvement. “Mia, Tish, Kristine and Ange are highly committed, world-class athletes and coaches who are devoted to bringing out the best in young people on the soccer field and in all aspects of their lives. Their commitment is obvious to everyone who encounters them.”
About the Camp Geneva Facility, Home Of The TeamFirst Spring Break Camp
Camp Geneva is located in Fruitland Park, Florida, approximately one hour’s drive from the Orlando International Airport. The camp’s 100 acres border a private, 20 acre lake and feature several large playing fields as well as large indoor buildings that can accommodate evening play. Girls will come to TeamFirst’s Spring Break Camp from all over Florida, the US and the world. For athletes flying in from out-of-town, ground transportation is provided from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
About The Spring Break Camp
As one of the few specialty soccer camps set in a traditional camp environment, the camp will encourage athletes to train hard on the field and to then enjoy relaxing elective activities, like swimming, boating, yoga, hiking or arts & crafts; as well as to enjoy down-time with friends. Athletes will live in comfortable cabins with cabin counselors specifically selected and trained to supervision and promote friendships among athletes. The cabins have bunk beds and full bathrooms with showers. Directors Eric & Liza Wittenberg lead the daily operations during the Spring Break camp. A Registered Nurse and a Certified Athletic Trainer care for the girls when illnesses or injuries occur.
About The Berkshire Soccer Academy
The Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls operates a stand-alone, summer camp facility in Otis, Massachusetts and seasonal camps throughout the country. For summer 2016, in addition to its third annual TeamFirst Camp overnight, BSA will offer five 6-day camp sessions as well as 2 day bridge sessions that enable campers to attend as many consecutive sessions as they like. For more information, visit http://www.berkshiresocceracademy.com.
About TeamFirst and Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Tisha Venturini Hoch
Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch have been friends and teammates for over 20 years. They played together at from the University of North Carolina where they led the Tar Heels to 6 consecutive national titles between 1989 and 1994. Each was a four-year NCAA Division 1 All American. The trio also starred for the US Women’s National Team. Hamm and Lilly joined the national team in 1987, at ages 15 and 16 and Hoch joined in 1992. Between them, they have a combined 5 Olympic gold medals, 5 World Cup Championships and 12 NCAA Titles. They formed TeamFirst Soccer Academy in 2011 and conduct many day camps at soccer clubs all over the country. For 2016, in addition to the Berkshire overnight camp, and the Spring Break Camp, TeamFirst has day camps scheduled in Auburn, Alabama (Feb 6 – 7), Pittsburgh (Mar. 18 – 20), South Carolina (May 14-15) and Virginia (June 4-5).
For more information on other TeamFirst camps, visit http://www.teamfirstsocceracademy.com or e-mail info(at)teamfirstsocceracademy(dot)com.
About Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Tisha Venturini Hoch and Ange Kelly
Mia Hamm joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1987 and played for 17 years. She was named FIFA’s “World Player of the Year” in 2001 and 2002. In 1991, at age 19, Hamm became the youngest team member in history to win the World Cup. Five years later, Hamm and her teammates secured the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1999, Hamm set a new record for most international goals and held that title until 2013. Hamm was Soccer USA’s Player of the Year from 1994 through 1998 and was named MVP of the 1995 Women’s World Cup. She retired in 2004 after helping her team win gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She is married and has three children.
Kristine Lilly is the world’s all-time international caps leader, having played 352 games for the United States between 1987 and 2010. She was a three time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year (1993, 2005, 2006). She left the game in 2011 as the second-leading goal scorer and assist maker in U.S. team history. Her career included winning two of the five FIFA Women’s World Cups in which she played, and she was part of Olympic teams that earned two gold and one silver medal. She is married and has two children.
Tisha Venturini Hoch was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1992 - 2000. She played in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups and the 1996 Summer Olympics. During those tournaments, she played 13 matches and scored 7 goals. Venturini Hoch represented the United States in 132 international matches and scored 44 goals. She is eleventh ranked all-time among American women top goal scorers. Venturini Hoch retired in 2001. She is married and has two children.
Ange Kelly is the Women’s Soccer Coach at The University of Texas. She came to Texas in 2011 after 16 years at the University of Tennessee, 12 as head coach. She led the Lady Vols to 6 SEC Championships, 12 NCAA tournament appearances and 6 NCAA quarterfinal appearances. As a collegian, she won four national championships at the University of North Carolina and was a member of the Canadian National Team from 1988-1996.
Contact:
Eric Wittenberg - Director, Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls:
(p) 1-800-326-9219
(e) eric(at)berkshiresocceracademy(dot)com
Eric Wittenberg, The Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls, http://www.berkshiresocceracademy.com, +1 800-326-9219, [email protected]
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