Sixty five youngsters who are crazy about the sport of soccer learned techniques and tactics from some of the best players in Colorado during the just concluded Colorado Gold Soccer Camp at Parque de Vida in Cortez.

Four women who compete for the Gold in the W-League of the United States Soccer League. The W-League is the highest level of women’s soccer next to the Women’s National Team.

The Gold is committed to bringing elite women’s soccer to the entire state while providing positive role models for aspiring young soccer players. With the likes of goalie and camp director Chellie McCourt and teammates Rosie Durbin, Becky King, and Amy Hammato, area youngsters received three days of instruction and soccer fun.

"At this camp we want the kids to get as many touches on the ball," McCourt said following one of the camp sessions on Tuesday. "We want the ball at their feet at all times. Technical is where they are using the ball at their feet.

The boys and girls played games, games and more games, according to McCourt.

"We also got more into the tactical parts of the game as we broke into 4 on 4 groups to play games. We got them into a diamond shape, told them where to move, and talked about support with their teammates. We want them to have a good foundation of skills. And if they use these skills they can take their game to a higher level. That is our focus," she added.

The local camp was not only for girls but boys as well. The U-6 to U-8 boys and girls learned more of the basics while the U10 and older players learned more tactics and advanced skills.

"We wanted the younger players to learn a good foundation of basics and skills. We showed them individual ball techniques. But most of all we wanted them to have fun. Two of us here are elementary school physical education majors so we take games we play with the kids and bring them here. As for the older ones we showed them more shooting skills and tactics. We worked with the goalkeepers and strikers showing them more advanced ways of doing things," McCourt said.

The final day of the camp on Wednesday, July 26, the kids played a lot of games.

"We stopped the games to show them what they were doing right and wrong. And we gave them situations and let them figure things out," she remarked.

"In order for this camp to work, the kids have got to take what they’ve learned and use what they’ve learned practicing on their own. They have got to work on these skills over and over again. We just try to show them the proper techniques. We want them to go home and touch the ball on their own. They will not become a star soccer player by just coming to our camp," McCourt explained.

"We want them to learn the same passion that we have for the game. Soccer is such a great game and is growing every year in popularity," she added.

The coaching staff was to include Douglas County head coach Theresa Echtermeyer, who was named 1994, 97, 99 5A Girls Coach of the Year but she had airline travel problems and was unable to attend.

McCourt, 26, is a goalkeeper, team captain and a four-year veteran of the W-League. She played on the Fort Collins Force and won the W-League title a couple years ago. And now she plays goalie for the Colorado Gold (Denver). The Gold is currently in second place in their conference. If the team can win two more games this weekend they have a shot at nationals.

She is a middle school teacher, and has coaching experience at youth and high school levels. She is familiar with Cortez as she is a graduate of Central of Grand Junction High School. She is a graduate of Metro State College.