TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - While the kids came out to have fun, the coaches are enjoying it now more than ever before. The Fort Lowell Soccer Club introduced a Youth Academy this year for their 8-and-under teams.
The program pairs licensed soccer coaches with parent-coach volunteers to further educate them on training their players. Some traditional soccer programs leave the parent-volunteers without any professional guidance.
"They give you the players and the parent-coach volunteer has to figure out on their own," said Mike Nickles with Youth Academy. "Our coaches really like it because they're not just thrown in clueless, they actually have a plan and we run through the practice sessions with them, it just helps out both player and coach."
The Youth Academy allows local players and the parent-coaches to learn together, side by side.
"Obviously it helps us to be better coaches with training drills and new stuff to teach the kids," said parent-coach Jason Garza. "I just love being with my boy. I played soccer growing up and my dad was my coach and when I had kids I intended to be my kid's coach and I don't know why the other parents let me, but that's what we do and the kids have a good time."
To learn more about the Youth Academy, click here.
