The last week of July is, comparatively, one of the slower weeks of the summer in terms of the number of activities.
This week here in Sulphur Springs, the only sports activities transpiring are the youth soccer camp, boys basketball Edge (which was extended one week due to gym renovations), and team tennis practices in preparation for their first meet next Tuesday.
The youth soccer skills camp, helmed by Wildcats head soccer coach Alexi Upton, continuously sees more and more students attend the summer camp as the years go on.
The camp is held yearly at the Multi-Purpose Building at the SSISD Athletic Complex, and Coach Upton said on the first day of camp, Monday, July 26, he had around 100-115 students attend the youth soccer camp.
Even with a dip in attendees on Tuesday, putting numbers around 85 total students, the Wildcats soccer coach was undeterred, saying that they’ve been doing really well.
The first year Alexi Upton coached here in Sulphur Springs, during the 2018-19 season, he said he had about 50-60 students attend the summer camp. In the following summer, 2019, Coach Upton saw an increase in attendees, going up to 65-70.
The summer of 2020 saw COVID-19 force the cancellation of most summer activities here in Sulphur Springs, so to shoot up to 100-115 students attending the summer camp “shows that the numbers are growing,” Coach Upton said.
Not only that, but the growth in years past shows that soccer here in Sulphur Springs is becoming more established and more recognized, the Wildcats soccer coach said.
Even though a mini-Monsoon hit Sulphur Springs yesterday, it was no matter for both soccer staffs helming the soccer camp since the camp was held at the indoor Multi-Purpose Building. Coach Upton said he believes kids like to be in the MPB.
The Wildcats soccer coach said camps like these are huge for the community.
“It’s really great to get these kids out here,” Coach Upton said. The exposure that kids get to being in an environment with so many skilled coaches and players teaching new skills but still having fun, is something the Wildcats soccer coach hopes sticks with students as they contemplate what sport they make like play later down the line.
The camp is still open for those who wish to attend tonight and Thursday night’s sessions at the MPB, and Coach Upton said he might discount folks who wish to attend the youth skills camp but could not make it to camp Monday or Tuesday.
The camp runs Monday through Thursday, from 6 to 7:30 P.M. at the Multi-Purpose Building. The camp is open to both boys and girls who are students ranging from entering kindergarten, to the ninth grade.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
