NaijaRush: 5 boys selected for advanced football training in England at the C.O.D/Bolton Summer Soccer Camp

5 boys have been selected to take part in an international football training camp featuring players from all over the world at the just concluded 5th C.O.D United/Bolton Summer soccer camp.

Held at the City Turf football pitch, the training camp was facilitated by a joint team of specialist youth team coaches Tony Kelly and Daniel Clarke from the Bolton Wanderers youth setup and C.O.D United youth team coaches.

Attended by over 50 young boys and a girl, the non-residential camp lasted 6 days and featured the latest drills in ball control, drilling, passing and movement, coordination and balance as well as in-class sessions. Speaking on the camp, Danny Clarke said he was very impressed with how quickly the children soaked in the knowledge being passed on.

Participating kids with their certificate of participation and medals

“We have had a great time passing knowledge on to the kids and seeing them make such a great improvement in such a short space of time was really fantastic. The kids have enjoyed themselves and they have picked up valuable lessons that will improve them as players. They have also made new friends and learnt a thing or two about discipline, excellence and teamwork. In all, I can say the camp is a huge success.”

Chief Executive of the club, Shola Opaleye also expressed satisfaction with the camp. “I am happy at how everything went at this camp. I am even happier that we are using football to teach these young ones our values as clue which is Displine, Integrity, Excellence and Teamwork. If you look carefully, these values are important for success not just in football but in any productive endeavour In essence, in own way, we are contributing to preparing our young ones for successful careers in whatever field they find themselves by teaching them the right values through an activity they love;football.

A lot of the parents are very happy and the young kids had a great time too so for us, it is mission accomplished and we are already planning and looking forward to the one in December.” A cross section of the parents interviewed said they were happy their children attended the camp and look forward to subsequent camps. “I must commend C.O.D United FC.

The week has been very impactful. I would also suggest that the event should take place every school holiday” said one excited parent. Another parent was amazed by the improvement in her child within a few days. She said “the event has been a wonderful program for my son and his siblings because he has developed some new skills during this camp and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I appreciate the management of the club for making this happen.”

CEO of C.O.D United, Shola Opaleye flanked by coaches Tony Kelly and Daniel Clarke of Bolton Wanderers 

Football Club.

Asked her own opinion about the camp, a mother said she was very happy mainly because her child told her he has had a taste of what professional football in Europe can be just by being at the camp. "He told me this the closest thing to playing in Europe in terms of organisation, facilities and quality of coaching." So far, 14 boys have enjoyed advanced football training at Bolton Wanderers' world class training facilities in England through the soccer camps.

A product of the camp, Nansel Selboh also made the provisional list of the 2013 World Cup winning U-17 team and has since started a professional football career in the United States of America. The 6th camp in the series which will hold from December 13th to 19th 2015.