This year, the Scotties have partnered with UKElite to add summer team camps for all Scotties players. We felt most players were attending camps individually and by offering team camps, we could be assured our players were learning the appropriate skills and developing as a team. Our coaches were able to work directly with the UKElite coaches to customize what they wanted their team to work on during the week long camp. After each camp, all coaches received written evaluations of each player, as well as an overall team evaluation. Coaches were encouraged to attend the camp as well and also learned new drills and skills. The following is an interview with Scotties VP Dave Morse and BU10 Coach Rob Shypitka on the impact the team camp had with his brand new team: Dave: Rob, You attended the Scotties UK Elite Team camps with your team, what impact was the impact on you as a coach? Rob: From a coaches perspective it was a great introduction to the higher level of coaching at the select level. It was a great eye opener, to see the way basic drills build into more challenging drills with progressions. It was very insightful. Dave: Do you feel it accelerated the team building; given this is a new team? Rob: Absolutely, you could see the skills improvement from late spring to where they are today. They emphasized communication skills on the field and encourage the boys to talk to each other. This really paid off during the games and gave our boys an added confidence. Dave: What was has the feedback been from the players on the team? Rob: The players and parents were very pleased; the sentiment was that the skills obtained and the long term benefits were well worth the camp fees. I am confident the parents would have paid for another week without question if it were offered. Dave: Recently you and Coach Pratt entered your U10 Boys Team into the River City Cup and won the championship game, do you believe the team camp help with this accomplishment? Rob: Definitely, it provided the fundamentals of soccer at the Select Level and helped them to understand their roles and positions on the field. They all want to be forwards and score goals, but the camp helped them to appreciate all eleven positions on the field and the importance of each. Dave: Thank you Rob and congratulations on your first Scotties Tournament win! Scotties Team Camp Slide Show //slideshow// Scotties U10 Boys 2011 River City Tournament Champions Coaches Rob Shypitka (Left) Jim Pratt (Right)