The Conard boys soccer team will host a weekly skills clinic and a week-long academy this summer at the West Hartford campus.

By Paul Palmer

With all eyes on soccer’s World Cup, the Conard boys soccer program is once again giving young players a chance to learn new skills and improve the ones they already have.

Boys soccer head coach Greg Smedberg will once again lead Conard Soccer Skills Clinics and the Conard Soccer Skills Academy. Players from the Red Wolves team will be on hand to show their skills and teach.

“I hope the youth soccer players of West Hartford get to meet new players, make friends, and improve their skills in a fun yet competitive environment,” Smedberg said. “The goal is to give back to the next generation of West Hartford soccer players to inspire them to do the same as they get older!”

Cory Brown (2) and Conrad Kalke pinned a Stamford player to the sideline. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

The Town of West Hartford has a very strong youth soccer system that has helped produce some of the best players to come through both Hall and Conard. “We want campers to know us as people, and as players/coaches. We hope they will look forward to representing us in the future as a student-athlete,” the coach added.

It is not only the campers who will gain valuable experience. Smedberg believes his players who help out are also gaining some great skills. “Conard boys soccer players who worked the clinics and camps last year had a great sense of pride for their community. Giving back to the community that helped grow them into the young adults they are today meant a lot to them. I hope they know that they are inspiring the next generation,” he said.

Conard and Hall players battle for the corner kick. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

The camp also helps raise funds for the Conard boys soccer program to offset costs of things like paying volunteer assistant coaches, as well as equipment for all teams across the program, and uniforms/gear for the entire program.

This year’s camp will take place during  and just after the World Cup Tournament – a time when kids and adults are being exposed to the best in the world playing the “beautiful game.”

Smedberg plans on incorporating some of that excitement into the camps this year. “We will look do World Cup-themed games and activities throughout the summer during each skill clinic and skills academy even after the tournament ends.” Campers don’t have to be the next Messi, Mbappe, or Ronaldo, as the camp will be held in an atmosphere of teamwork, support, and love of the game.

The Skills Clinics will take place on Wednesdays in July, beginning  July 8 (four nights), from 5:30-7 p.m. on the turf field at Conard High school. Players entering grades 3 through 9 are welcome. Clinics are $21 per session for West Hartford residents and $31 for  non residents.

The Skills Academy runs Aug. 3-7 at Conard High School from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost for the five days is $209 for residents, $219 for non-residents and once again is open to players entering third through ninth grades. Sign-ups are through the West Hartford Leisure services and can be found at https://westhartford.recdesk.com/Community/Program and searching for “Conard Soccer.”

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