Best kids could be offered chance to train in Europe
May 14, 2008 - 11:50 AM
By Al Rivett
PICKERING -- To give back to the community that gave him so much.
That, in a nutshell, is why English soccer star and former Pickering resident Paul Peschisolido is lending his name and expertise to an upcoming soccer camp in his hometown this summer.
After kicking around the idea for a year or so with Pickering Soccer Club head coach Tony La Ferrara, the long-time striker who's played on several different English 'football' teams, including Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Derby County and, most recently, Luton Town, says the time was simply right to launch Pesch's Premier Academy in July in conjunction with the Pickering club.
"I've had a 17-year career where I've had a chance to live my childhood dream. Not too many get that opportunity. Now I have the time to spend in the off-season, so I want to give kids the chance to live their dreams, too," says Peschisolido, 37, who has family still living in Pickering.
The Academy, to run at Kinsmen Park over a two-week period, from July 7 to 11 and July 14 to 18, will feature several guest coaches associated with English professional soccer, and promises to be unique as it will be styled after the youth academies administered by the various English soccer teams.
"It will be run like the Premiership academies in England where they spend millions of dollars developing young players. Everyone there is trying to produce young players starting when they're nine educating and coaching them," he explains.
Moreover, with several English soccer scouts expected to attend, Peschisolido says he would like to give some promising local kids the chance to live and train in England.
"What I want to do is run it accordingly in a two-week course, cramming everything into it. My main objective is to unearth a rough diamond and take them back to Europe and give them an opportunity. If I had that opportunity at a young age my parents would have done something for me, But, it worked out for the best. It's a great opportunity."
In addition, Peschisolido says he'll keep the camp's numbers small, about 100-to-150 players ages 11 to 16 per week, in order to lend a personal touch to the proceedings.
"We're looking for the most talented and the upper crust. There's no point having 600 kids because I won't have the opportunity to work with them and I'll have less time I can spend with them. I want to see not only their ability, but also how hungry they are. Desire is a big thing as well."
In addition to the camp, Peschisolido also plans to run a coaching clinic for three days from July 11 to 13. The clinic will include coaches from the Professional Football Association.
"It's an opportunity for coaches to broaden their horizons," he says.
The married father of two hopes to make the camp an annual summer event in the city.
"That's my long-term plan," he says.
For more information, call the camp hotline at 905-831-9803 or online at www.ppsa-Canada.com or www.pickering soccer.ca.
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