By Halle Nottage
Every night, Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wally Sigmar Field comes alive with young, school-aged children ready to receive invaluable coaching at the hands of the Peninsula College coccer teams and staff.
This academy is a “way to improve youth grassroot soccer in the community,” head coach of the PC women’s soccer team coach Kanyon Anderson said. “It’s based on the premise of training without competition, everyone included, lots of touches on the ball, and small-sided play.”
The Academy has been around for 15 years and is directed by Jake Hughes, but Anderson says its impact is beginning to be seen now. Local high schools, such as Port Angeles High School and Sequim High School have seen massive strides made within the soccer programs. Both teams experienced what have been considered the best past three years in program history. This includes beating teams they’ve never beaten before as well as making it into the state tournament.
In addition to the high school teams, the local clubs have also experienced improvements, all of which can be related back to the academy giving these athletes a foothold in the fundamentals of the sport of soccer.
Furthermore, there has been a large rise in these local athletes moving on to play collegiately, such as at PC as well as other colleges.
However, Academy doesn’t only benefit the local youth, it is also the college team’s biggest fundraiser. According to Anderson, it allows the program to provide its players with top notch gear, travel, accommodations and much more.
The benefits for the program are not purely external for the college players. Anderson said he believes that it can allow the players to get an early grasp on coaching.
“If you’re a college athlete there’s a pretty good likelihood that you’ll have an opportunity to coach professionally moving forward, and this is a great opportunity for people to get those contacts out early,” he said.
Currently the college players are interacting with around 260 local players who are of kindergarten age up to 16 years old, as well as a few other players that make the commute from Port Townsend.
It’s quite easy to see the excitement of the Academy players once they arrive at the field. As soon as they get there, they are completely cut free from the strains of school or any other problems that may be weighing them down. They are put into an enivroment that allows them to focus only on having fun and becoming a better soccer player.
Not only do they get to play soccer, they also build relationships with fellow players and their coaches. Overall, they get to enjoy a positive, encouraging atmosphere void of any negative comments or outside forces. Sophia Frick 5, and Amelia Frick 7 have been having a good time with academy.
“Well me and Phia loves this, it’s super fun we just love doing this,” Amelia said.
Her sister chimed in quite quickly, “sometimes we just play it and play it in our backyard.”
Both of the sisters believe that it has helped them to become better soccer players, as well as make friends.