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Glen Ellyn Park District Offers Competitive Soccer Instruction, Practices, Games

Posted on: December 12, 2017

Soccer is a challenging, exciting sport that is extremely popular all over the world. Boys and girls usually start playing at a young age, and many continue through high school and into their college years; some talented players even receive scholarships that reduce or cover their tuition.

The Glen Ellyn Park District offers several options for kids interested in learning and honing their soccer skills. Junior Lakers is a program for Pre-K through eighth grade, offering weekly clinics that focus on improving individual and team skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending the ball. Clinics are held at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center in Glen Ellyn.

“Future Pros is an organization made up of professional soccer trainers,” said Brad Thomas, Recreation Supervisor for the Glen Ellyn Park District. “Most of them have played professionally at some point in their careers, in Mexico, South America, and Europe. They also coach the Lakers travel teams. Junior Lakers is a fantastic opportunity for kids to receive instruction from professionally licensed trainers.”

Session I begins January 5th and runs until February 2nd. Session II begins February 16th and ends March 16th. Clinics are on Fridays; Pre-K and 1st graders play from 4-5pm, 2nd through 4th graders play from 5-6pm, and fifth through eighth graders play from 6-7pm.

“Parents really like this program for their children,” added Thomas. “They appreciate the professional training at a low cost, and they enjoy being able to see their children improve their skills while having a great time.”

First and second graders can also participate in Lakers Soccer Academy, a program designed for children who love soccer and want to play at a higher level. “This is a pre-travel program,” said Thomas. “We like to see players work and develop their skills in order to prepare them to join the Lakers travel program.”

Future Pros runs this program as well; instructors focus on different skills each week, progressing to more challenging skills and drills over time. “These teams scrimmage against other Academy teams so they can incorporate their skills into a game setting,” added Thomas.

Lakers Soccer Academy, also held at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, meets on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30pm. The winter session begins January 8th and runs until March 12th. “Parents like this program because it’s a higher level program than those typically offered by the Glen Ellyn Park District,” said Thomas. “It targets players who want to experience more development, are passionate about soccer, and would eventually like to play at a higher level.”