Children seek to strengthen area’s soccer culture
Published 9:32 am Friday, August 1, 2014
Nico Gamboni, 11, and D.J. Dillon, 10, chase after a ball during a scrimmage game at Elite 58 Soccer Camp. Dillon came in first place during the Elite 58 Shootout for ages 9-10. — Cain Madden | Tidewater News
FRANKLIN—Many area children ages 7 to 17 laced up their cleats and looked to hone their skills on the soccer pitch at the Armory Field Sports Complex.
This year, Elite 58 had 48 campers and they were divided into three age groups: 7-9, 10-12 and 13-17.
Forty-eight area children connected with Coaches Jamie Weist, Clay Hyatt and Danny Dillon two weeks ago to improve thier skills at the annual Elite 58 soccer camp. — SUBMITTED
The camp focused on good sportsmanship and being a great teammate. The first three days were focused on the three main aspects of soccer: dribbling, passing and shooting.
“Our goal is to create a culture that will produce super athletes with super character playing at the collegiate level,” Coach Danny Dillon said, adding that other goals are “to promote great sportsmanship, strong Godly character and being super healthy while having fun playing the game of soccer.”
The last day of camp was concentrated on The Elite 58 Shootout and a Soccer Tournament. Awards for the Elite 58 Shootout were as follows: Ages 7-8, Benny Dillon, 1st place, and Jordan Cobb, 2nd place. Ages 9-10, D.J. Dillon, 1st place, Landon Weist, 2nd place, and Charlotte Fowler, 3rd place. Ages 11-12, Aiden Hatch, 1st Place, Jack Dillon, 2nd place. Ages 13-14, Evan Skinner, 1st place and Mitch Owens, 2nd place. Ages 15-17, Stephen Pullen, 1st place and Michael Fanjul, 2nd place.
Coaches Jamie Weist, Clay Hyatt and Danny Dillon pride themselves in the skill level that this group from the Franklin area possesses.
This past fall, the Franklin Fire U12 travel team went undefeated and won first place in the Gold division of the Tidewater Athletic Soccer League, beating teams from Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Suffolk. Nine out of the 11 players from that championship team participated in the Elite 58 Camp.
“Thanks to all the parents, parks and recreation interim director Clay Hyatt and the City of Franklin for allowing us to have this wonderful Elite 58 Soccer camp,” Dillon said.