Youth Soccer Training With HELM Soccer Superstars Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden and Brian Ching Hosted By San Diego Surf SC
Youth Soccer News: Working with SoccerToday and Surf Cup Sports, HELM Soccer founders Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden and Brian Ching recently hosted a special afternoon soccer training session for elite San Diego youth soccer players.
Millions cheered for America’s favorite soccer star — Landon Donovan — when he played for the U.S. Men’s National Team and the LA Galaxy, yet very few youth soccer players ever had a chance to be on a soccer field with him or, dream of being trained by him.
Now, there is HELM Soccer, founded by Donovan and fellow soccer pros Holden and Ching. HELM gives youth soccer players the chance to be trained by their soccer heroes and learn amazing tips from these world class professionals.
One of America’s top youth soccer clubs, San Diego Surf SC, recently hosted HELM Soccer at the Polo Fields in San Diego, California and everyone on the field was amazed to watch Landon, Stuart & Brian on the field the entire time — sweating with the players in the hot sun — as they trained, played and shared inspiring personal stories of their earlier days. Because HELM pros want to do more then just sign autographs and share advice, they want to play and get involved, helping youth players develop and making the future look brighter than ever for soccer in America.
HELM’s mission is to enhance the lives of America’s youth by maximizing their soccer potential and giving back to local and national charities.
These former professional soccer players are considered to be among the most recognizable players ever produced in the United States with Donovan ranking as the best player in US history. As a youth player, Donovan was among the first players in the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Florida. Donovan, who told his fans on Facebook back in August 2014 that he was going to retire after last season, is still heavily involved with developing his favorite sport. Landon’s efforts with HELM fit perfectly with his desire to be a vibrant part of elevating the game of soccer in the USA.
“It is always great to be on the field with kids who want to play soccer — even if only for the afternoon,” said Donovan when he was at the Polo Fields working with a select group of boys and girls in the U11 to U18 age groups from throughout the San Diego region. Usually HELM prefers to do 3-day soccer clinics so that, as Donovan said, “We can really get to know the players and try to help them.” Donovan, who today let the world know he will becoming a parent soon, was fabulous with the players, encouraging and patient, yet expecting focused effort and concentration.
This exclusive session took place on August 28th and included a group of 50 plus elite San Diego youth soccer players.
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Slideshow Photos Courtesy of Carey Schumacher
“The training session we put on in at Surf SC in San Diego was tremendous for everyone involved,” said Donovan. “Although there were a few beginners, the majority of the players far exceeded our expectation in terms of quality. The most rewarding part for me was watching the more advanced players help the inexperienced players throughout the afternoon. We started HELM with the idea of being more than just a soccer camp and witnessing the children help each other made us all feel great about what we are doing.”
We are here in San Diego with @brianching teaching the art of striking with @landondonovan in the net. #HELMSanDiego pic.twitter.com/JwWZrAdY7Q
— HELM Soccer (@HelmElite) August 29, 2015
“HELM began with the idea of a premier level soccer camp, but we quickly realized we could have a much greater impact on America’s youth,” said Holden. “Soccer has given us so many rich experiences, both on and off the field, and we are fortunate to have a platform to influence the next generation. I was pleasantly surprised by not only the level of talent in San Diego, but the attentiveness and willingness to learn from all of our students. From the second they entered my group, I felt the energy and commitment to get better, then when the session was over, EVERY student was thanking me individually. These moments are a constant reminder of why we started HELM.”
Another former MLS player and Holden’s younger brother, Euan Holden, also assisted with the session. The coaches professional fame did not stop them from interacting with the youth players. They stretched and did every drill alongside the players and were all over the fields, setting up stations with goals and cones. The coaches split the players into small rotational groups but also helped out some players one on one. It was clear that the coaches were passionate about what they were doing for youth soccer players.
Following the training, the coaches sat down with the players and told their stories. Truly inspirational, it wasn’t about being the best of the best for them. There were clearly better players out there, but these coaches had the drive, the heart and put in the extra work that got them to become professional soccer players.
“HELM is an avenue for me to give back not only to kids but also the communities that we visit,” said Ching. “I want to share the lessons that I learned that have made me successful. Those lessons can be summed up in our HELM principles. By driving home these values we are hopefully helping steer these children onto a path of success. Not only did we want to share our knowledge but we wanted to set an example as well, as we continue to partner with local charities in the cities that we visit.”
Youth players and even parents also had a chance to ask the coaches questions and a few prizes were given to select players that stood out during the training session, followed by pictures and autographs.
“We were pleased to host HELM and its superstar coaches here at the San Diego Polo Fields,” said Jeremy McDonald, President of Surf Soccer Club. “The training and personal interactions with Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden and Brian Ching were truly inspirational to our players. The fact that HELM selected San Diego, out of all the major soccer cities in the United States, is a testament to the quality of youth soccer players we have in our region. Surf Soccer is excited to be associated with HELM, and we look forward to working together again for additional training sessions in the near future.”
A truly amazing experience for the youth players of San Diego. One they will get to remember and talk about for the rest of their lives.
Fun Trivia: Did you know that Landon Donovan is a proud former Cal South player?
