Cochrane Minor Soccer (CMS) is putting on a winter goalkeeper camp on Dec. 21-22, featuring Marco Carducci, one of the hottest young goalies in Canada.
The Calgary native, is currently one of the goalkeepers for Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Vancouver Whitecaps, and has represented Canada at under-17 and under-20 levels.
“It’s very exciting,” the 19-year old Carducci said. “It’s an opportunity to help out younger goalkeepers, which is something that I really enjoy to do. Anytime I can use my knowledge and experience to help out younger players is a rewarding experience.”
What does he think he can bring to kids at the camp?
“There’s a lot,” he said, “I can give them lots of little tips in terms of the technical side of soccer. Obviously, a big part of the game is mental, and dealing with certain situations. Anything I can do to help improve their skills, and show them the discipline it takes to get where I am today.”
The camp, which consists of two hours a day (90 minutes on-field, 30 minutes of video analysis) has been organized by Carducci’s father Luciano who works with CMS. He hopes to target boys and girls from the under-14, under-16, and under-18 levels and show them what it takes to make the step to the next level.
“We want to put on a camp for the kids so that they can get a sense of the kind of work and dedication that it to takes to make it to the professional level,” Luciano said. “Marco signed for the Whitecaps academy when he was 14, and has worked his way up from there. We’re going to have some discussions with the kids about doing your best, and where it can get you, whether it is the professional level or a college scholarship. We want to inspire them.”
Most of the work that participants will be doing is designed to sharpen their abilities as goalkeepers both physically and mentally.
“It’s going to be four hours of pretty intense work,” Luciano said. “We want to show participants a different side of the sport and help them to achieve their goals. Sometimes it takes people to talk to you and inspire you through their story to help you obtain your own goals.”
Is this the first clinic of this type that he has put on?
“This is the first one I’ve put on in Cochrane,” Luciano said. “Over the last couple years we’ve had different goalkeeper camps in the Calgary area. I’ve been working specifically with CMS for almost a year now, and I’m working with the technical director to give Cochrane kids the chance to learn from someone at the highest level.”
What is the difference between this clinic and ones put on by other associations?
“The quality of the goalkeepers that will be instructing is what separates us” Luciano said. “There’s going to be three of us. Myself, Marco, and Mackenzie Muller who is going to the University of Las Vegas on a soccer scholarship. There are a lot of young female goalies, so having her there will definitely give girl goalies the inspiration to work hard.”
The camp is set to take place at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre on Dec. 21 and 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night. Cost per athlete is $200 and spaces are limited. For more information please contact Luciano Carducci at [email protected]
