Wes Meadows on What Makes MLS LA Galaxy’s Youth Soccer Camps The Rights Choice for Player Development and Fun
While there are many MLS clubs, few have celebrated as many prestigious victories as the LA Galaxy. If you have a youth soccer player who loves the sport — or who has big dreams, why not send them to a wonderful LA Galaxy youth soccer camp?
Often thought of only for the very best elite players, the LA Galaxy offers a broad variety of youth soccer camp programs — so regardless of the level (from beginner, intermediate or highly advanced) there is a camp that is the right fit. Perfect for players looking to take their game to the next level, the MLS LA Galaxy offers both residential and day programs.
Youth Soccer News: The summer camp season is rapidly approaching and there is a flood of different options — how can a soccer parent decide which youth soccer camp is the right one? To help explain the differences, we are interviewing the directors of the top youth soccer camps.
The LA Galaxy began playing in the Major League Soccer in 1996 and is one of the league’s eight charter members.
The name, LA GALAXY, is synonymous with high-quality professional soccer, attracting top players from around the world. With Zlatan Ibrahimović now proudly wearing the Galaxy logo, Sigi Schmid as head coach and one of the most well respected U.S. Soccer Development Academies in the country, the LA Galaxy has even reached a higher profile.
Youth soccer players around the country grow up dreaming of wearing this crest and playing for the Galaxy — one of the MLS’s most-decorated clubs.
The LA Galaxy’s record includes five MLS Cups, four Supporters’ Shields, and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups. The club has won the Western Conference season title eight times.
To play for the LA Galaxy Development Academy is an honor and the club’s summer camps provide a glimpse into its high caliber player development training and provide a unique opportunity for you to work with some of the best coaches in the country.
A youth soccer player at a Galaxy camp might even be able to meet a professional player – while they increase their passion for the beautiful game. The Galaxy’s camp program is open to beginners as well as intermediate and highly advanced elite players. It’s important not to be intimidated, there is a camp for every level!
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo had the opportunity to interview LA Galaxy’s Wes Meadows, Sr. Manager, Programming & Fan Development on their youth development camps, and how the camps play a role in identifying talent.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did the LA Galaxy start their camp program?
Wes Meadows: The LA Galaxy started our youth programming about 15 years ago. Our goal is for players to receive the highest coaching training while enjoying being developed as a soccer player.
Diane Scavuzzo: The LA Galaxy camp program has an amazing reputation, but are the camps only for serious elite players?
Wes Meadows: LA Galaxy Camps are for all ages and levels. Whether you are a beginner or elite level player, we have a comprehensive camp program that caters to all levels.
Our camps provide a platform for players of all ages and ability to play soccer in a challenging and exciting environment.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who should attend the residential camp? Who should attend the day camp?
Wes Meadows: Our Advanced Residential and Elite Camps are tailored for high-level club and DA players.
We have many players from around the world that attend our Residential and Elite Camps.
Players who are playing AYSO and just starting out playing competitive youth club soccer would benefit more from our full and half day camps.
Diane Scavuzzo: Is there a chance that the campers may meet professional players?
Wes Meadows: All of our camps held at the StubHub Center include a player appearance from an LA Galaxy player.
Diane Scavuzzo: Often goalkeepers are overlooked – do you have a specific program to help develop next generation of great goalkeepers?
Wes Meadows: Yes, we have goalkeeper specific camps. We are very fortunate to have former professional goalkeepers on our staff that assist in the camps.
Diane Scavuzzo: Will there be any coaches scouting players for your MLS Development Academy?
Wes Meadows: We utilize all our programs as an avenue to scout and identify players.
We want to identify and develop key players who could advance to play for the LA Galaxy Academy, LA Galaxy II or the LA Galaxy one day.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many players do you anticipate will attend the programs?
Wes Meadows: We keep our numbers relatively low so that players are receiving 1 on 1 attention from our staff throughout the camp.
On average, we will have 60-75 players per camp.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your coach two player ratio?
Wes Meadows: Our player to coach ratio is 15:1
Diane Scavuzzo: At the LA Galaxy camps, who are the coaches?
Wes Meadows: We have former pros and youth coaches who run our camps. All of our coaches are USSF certified.
Diane Scavuzzo: For your residential program what is a typical day like?
Wes Meadows: Our advanced residential program is a full day of training.
- Each day, players will have skill training at 7:00 AM.
- Following this will be breakfast and then a field session up until lunchtime.
- After lunch, players will get a little downtime and then have another field session before dinner.
At all our camps, our coaches use age-appropriate technical and tactical exercises designed by our Academy coaches.
Players practice in an exciting soccer environment consisting of modern camp games, and small-sided competitions. We also focus on challenging demonstrations to help players improve their skills.
For more information, please visit the LA GALAXY
