WWW arkcity.net

Photo by Donita Clausen click image to enlarge

By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

Rob Shields of Wales (United Kingdom) brought his knowledge and passion of soccer to Arkansas City this past week.

Eighteen youths, ages 3-14, participated in a week-long camp that was sponsored by the Rec Center, in conjunction with Pennsylvania-based SAY Soccer, which provided insurance and camp rules for each participant, and Lenexa-based Challenger Sports, which works with soccer (or football as the sport is called outside the United States) associations from Britain to set up the camps.

Insurance costs $6 or $7 per participant, according to Krisik.

Rec Center programs manager Joe Krisik said this is the third year the program has taken place in Arkansas City.

"We had 11-12 kids participate in the program the first year it was held," Krisik said. "Thirteen to 14 the second and 18 this year."

Shields turned to coaching shortly after retiring from Cardiff City.

This is his first year conducting clinics in the United States and profoundly said that "without a doubt" this is the best country he has travelled to.

"I would marry somebody with a green card," said Shields, who has praised local media coverage around the country.

"The respect from the press has been brilliant. TV crews showed up during the camp in Colorado. Local press came to whereever we are."

Shields first heard about the camp through a local association in Wales. He then contacted their office and listed his qualifications. Within a matter of days, the association sent him on an airplane to the United States.

Shields mentioned that with the FIFA World Cup taking place this year in Germany, many of the organization's coaches travelled there to see England play in the month-long tournament in June.

He has instructed both youth and high schoolers around the world for the past six or seven years, from the Channel Islands to Egypt; Thailand, Turkey and Greece.

Kansas is the 12th state that one of the many People Association of Wales coaches has been to on his current three-month trip, the length of his visa.

At each camp, the former Cardiff City (Wales) player conducts drills on passing, corner kicks and dribbling.

At times, he goes beyond the basic fundamentals of the sport. Reverse passes and heel kicks were just a few of the many intermediate skills he taught.

Stepping out of the light as a player and onto the sidelines as a coach has brought a new perspective of the sport to Shields.

"The competitiveness of it has been taken too seriously," he said. "The recreational side of it is fun."

But the passion of soccer is instilled with people in Europe.

"In the UK and Europe, it was born within our blood," Shields said. "It is a way of life for us."

Shields then talked about the history of the game here in the United States, from the early days of Pele and Krieff in the 1970's to current American-born soccer phenoms such as Freddy Adu and Landon Donovan.

"The greatest players in the world played for the New York Cosmos, Los Angeles Aztecs and San Jose Earthquakes in the 1970's," Shields said. "Adu, Donovan have put the U.S. back on the map."

Donovan, Adu, the birth of Major League Soccer in 1993 and the appearance of the U.S. Soccer team in the last two World Cups have definitely boosted the appeal of the game in this country, according to Shields.

"Everywhere there is a soccer picture hanging up," Shields said. "Within the next 10-15 years, you don't need guys like us over here."

Parents attending the game appreciated the passion that Shields has for the game.

"Alexis comes home everyday and says how much fun it is," said father Scott Herndon, who is also one of the newest board member for the Ark City Soccer Association. "The enthusiasm of these coaches is unreal."

Krisik, who has children as well, said that Shields teaches more than just the fundamentals of the sport.

"He discusses the importance of teamwork and responsibility," Krisik said. "Players have to respect their domain. No spitting on the field."

Krisik added that the sport is still new to this country because we have not "grasped it."

Late Friday morning at the Sixth Street soccer fields, Shields put the participants knowledge to use.

Shields broke them into four teams -- England, Spain, Italy and France.

Each were given "90 points" that counted towards the "pool" standings. With all four teams locked in a "tie," Shields held two semifinal matches, a third-place match and championship match for the "World Cup."

The first two semifinal games were split into two five-minute halves. The third-place game consisted of two 10-minute halves. The championship game was split into two 15-minute halves.

Spain and France both won their first-round games to advance to the World Cup Final.

Italy defeated England in the third-place game 2-0.

France defeated Spain for the World Cup championship 4-1 behind a hat trick from Dakota Sparks.

Upon the conclusion of the championship game, Shields gathered the players together on the sidelines to summarize his thoughts on the camp.

"They have really developed (over the week)," said Shields to the crowd of parents, youth and Rec Center staff. "There was not one guy (or girl) who has not given me 100-percent (effort)."

Shields went to thank the Rec Center staff for hosting the event and the Eves family for letting him stay with them for the week.

Shields would like to review his visa and come back to the United States and coach additional camps.

He closed the camp with one thought for the participants: "It's not all about the winning."

Above: Jonathon Metzinger and Dayton Branch battle for possession of the ball Friday in a "World Cup" game Friday morning at the Sixth Street soccer fields. Metzinger represented France while Branch played for Italy. Coach for the teams was former professional soccer player Rob Shields of Wales (United Kingdom).