The new Conard Skills Clinic and Skills Academy programs will be held this summer in West Hartford.

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Conard and Hall players go through the handshake line after the game. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 22, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

By Paul Palmer

When Greg Smedberg moved from an assistant coach under Hall’s Zeke Seguro to head coach of Conard boys soccer, he made it clear one of his biggest goals was to develop players and the sport throughout West Hartford. This summer Smedberg, his assistant coaches, and senior players will make good on that vow by hosting clinics and a soccer academy at Conard High School.

“We are going to be teaching skills and a lot of these people will be future Hall and Conard players and we can teach them skills as a kid,” Smedberg said.

Coach Greg Smedberg. Conard vs. Simsbury boys soccer. Sept. 5, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

The clinics will have opportunities for kids to play together and also allow them to be broken down by age and skill level for instruction sets. “I want to see the kids when I walk around town and see my players and captains and recognize them. I’d love to develop a system where players come as youngsters and eventually work it when they are a varsity soccer member,” said Smedberg.

The program is for boys and girls entering Grades 3 through 9. Players of all skill levels are encouraged to sign up for the Skills Clinics, which will run on Monday and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Conard throughout the month of July. The clinic costs $51 for West Hartford residents and $61 for non-residents.

The Conard Skills Academy is open to all skill levels from beginners, to rec, travel, and club players. They will be grouped by skill levels with a goal of being both fair and competitive – as well as fun as they become better soccer players.

“I would say my initial pitch would be we are at Conard and ideally this is providing the opportunity to learn what our programs are about and translate what skills we are looking for to create that feeder system,” Smedberg said. The Skills Academy will run Aug. 11-14 at Conard High School from 9 a.m.-noon.

“I’m looking to build something here,” said Smedberg, who is a certified U.S. Soccer coach. “I want to give back to the town I owe so much,” he said. The cost for the Conard Skills Academy is $209 for town residents and $219 for non-residents for the week.

Brendan Murphy (2) turns away Diego Lemes’ attempt. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 22, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

It is not just the camp attendees who will be learning this summer. Smedberg also said the program will give his teenage players a chance to interact and learn with young people. “It’s great exposure for the program and my varsity players are going to be volunteer coaches at clinic and learn skills, too. It is mutually beneficial for everyone,” the coach said.

“My captains had the idea this fall,” Smedberg said of the clinic and academy. “It’s a way to give back to the community and it feels more meaningful for us to raise money for the program for kids to learn from peers and for our kids to give back in a fundraiser,” Smedberg said.

Both programs are part of the West Hartford Leisure Services and you can find more information and the sign-ups at their webpage. The programs will also serve as a fundraiser for the Conard boys soccer program, providing additional funds to pay volunteer coaches, purchase new uniforms every five years, and help pay for things like equipment for the team.

Registration for all the clinics and the academy are open now.

Diego Lemes of Hall and Brendan Murphy race for the loose ball. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 22, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

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