Zoran soccer camp still alive and kicking

 

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers CHALLENGED—Lisa Bennett, 12, of Lindero Canyon Middle School, and Rachel Medina, 12, of Medea Creek Middle School, battle for the ball during the first day of Zoran’s Soccer Camp.

For four weeks in August, beginning this week, Zoran’s Soccer Camp, headed by Zoran Lomic, a former European professional soccer player, is taking place at Chaparral Park off Conifer Street in Oak Park.

Children ages 5-15 are invited to the camp. There are half-day sessions from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday, and full-day sessions from 9 to 3 p.m. The cost is $130 for one week of half-day sessions and $ 160 for a week of full-days.

“The bottom line is to teach them the basic skills of soccer,” said Lomic. “We’re here to introduce the game to kids who’ve never played, to teach basic techniques, and for those more advanced players, to get them in shape and prepared for competition.”

Lomic, originally from Yugoslavia, played professionally for nine years. Casey Bridges is his assistant.

Also coaching at the camp are Lluka Klevi, Ryan and Danny Bushore, Laura Pittman, Michael McClellan, Alexis Winningham and Dawn Hollowell.

Pittman may be remembered as a fairly recent star of the Oak Park girls’ varsity soccer team, coached by Ted Eggleston. Ryan and Danny Bushore also played at Oak Park High School. Klevi played professionally in Belgium.

Lomic and Bridges spoke with The Acorn on the first day of the camp at Chaparral Park.

“We teach fundamentals,” Bridges said. “And we also try to promote the enjoyment of the game. We have a lot of different exercises and we try to make everything fun for the kids.”

Bridges was encouraged by turnout the first day of the camp. He further described the goals of the camp, which include helping kids get ready for club teams in the fall.

“There’s a lot of scrimmaging which at the young ages is very important—just to play the game and enjoy it,” Bridges said. “Playing soccer every day definitely helps their conditioning and gets them into good shape to start the season.”

Bridges said there’s also a focus on juggling which, he said, “is good for ball coordination and technical skills.”

Lumic said he hopes to pass on his love of soccer.

“We hope the kids go home with a good experience and keep a love for the sport,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful sport.”