Former USWNT standout Yael Averbuch set to host youth soccer clinic in Gulfport
South Mississippi has a reputation for producing some of the state's most talented soccer players.
The Coast's youth talent will get a boost Saturday when former United States Women's National Team member and North Carolina All-American Yael Averbuch travels to Gulfport to host Phase 1 Nutrition's "Training with the Pros" soccer camp.
Averbuch, who currently plays reigning National Women's Soccer League champion FC Kansas City, is active in very active in youth development. Aspiring soccer players can pick up plenty of tips from her website and YouTube page from the technical, physical and mental sides of the game.
Averbuch spends much of her offseason traveling around the country to host clinics like Saturday's at the Gulfport Sportsplex.
"I was fortunate as a young player to have a lot of great inspirations so I'm trying to pass along as much of that as I can," she told the Sun Herald on Monday. "I think through all I have done and learned in the sport, for me it's very fulfilling to be able to connect with players who are just starting out their journey or somewhere along their journey."
Saturday's camp will feature five 75-minute sessions that will hit on a number of techniques and aspects of soccer.
"What I want to show them is what it's like to train as a professional player from repetitions of the most simple moves all the way up to what can be done with the ball if you continue to practice and put in the time," Averbuch said. "Some if it will seem easy to them, but then challenge their bodies and their minds to see where they can take it."
Her main message for camps is to take ownership of their development.
"I want them to find all the resources they can and spend time on their own with a ball, watching soccer, and doing all the extra things so their development process really belongs to them," she said.
Former Biloxi standout and current Southern Miss keeper Brittany Snyder will also assist with the clinic.
Phase 1 Nutrition owner Michael Goodsell said he's his Training with the Pros series of camps grows to where it can be a semi-regular fundraiser where all of the proceeds go to charity. As is, he said $10 from every registered player will go to a soccer club of their choice.
Saturday's camp, which runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., is for soccer players ages 6-18. Athletes can sign up for two sessions with Averbuch for $50, or pay $75, which also includes a portrait and action photo with the pro.
For more information, visit YaelAverbuch.com or https://register.htgsports.net/default.aspx?id=4549.
Goodsell said registration closes Thursday, but walk-ups Saturday are welcome for an additional fee.
This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Former USWNT standout Yael Averbuch set to host youth soccer clinic in Gulfport ."