Young athletes have the opportunity to lace up their cleats and tie up their sneakers with a brand new multi-sports camp, the first of its kind in the Bulkley Valley.
In addition to the annual British Soccer Camp, Challenger Sports is also offering a new week-long British Multi Sports Camp that combines soccer, rugby, tennis and cricket.
“This is the only British multi-sport camp in the area. It’s unique to Smithers,” said Richard Unsworth, regional director of B.C. for Challenger Sports. “It’s a combination of other sports from the U.K. that kids might not know too much about or might not have experienced before and give them a taste of something British.”
Unsworth added the camp will provide kids with an opportunity to learn about a new sport.
“For those who have never found a sport that they loved, maybe this is something that will give them a unique experience and maybe a love for something they never thought about before,” he said.
Participants will learn technical skills and take part in daily drills and tournament-style play from qualified instructors.
Andrew Hillaby, director of recreation, parks and culture with the Town of Smithers, hopes the camp will inspire people to start new clubs in the community.
“It will open [people’s eyes to] rugby and tennis and maybe that will bring out a few more people, maybe that will spur people on to create a new Smithers rugby club and create a new Smithers tennis club,” he said.
In the past, they have had roughly 75 to 100 people sign up for the soccer camp and are expecting roughly 20 to 30 participants for the multi-sport camp.
“It’ll be a fun week for them and an introduction to some unique and fun sports that we’ve grown up with and experienced in Britain for many years,” said Unsworth.
The British Soccer Camp runs from Aug. 18-22 at Chandler Park field.
The multi-sport camp runs from Aug. 25-29 at Chandler Park and Montreal Street tennis courts and costs $154 for the week. All equipment is included.
For more information about the camp visit challengersports.com.
Registration can be done at the Town Hall at 250-847-1600.