By Quinta Goines

Girls and boys ages 4 through 13 are participating in the Troy University women’s soccer youth camp this week

Thirty-five children from the Pike County area are attending the first-year camp.

“I think we definitely exceeded the first year expectations and going forward we hope to even double that number,” said head coach Jason Hamilton.

Sutton Moore, an 8-year-old student at Troy Elementary School, played soccer for the first time by attending the camp. Moore said she learned how to kick the ball and be the goalie, her favorite position. “I learned you’re supposed to kick the ball with the outside of your foot,” Moore said.

Hamilton said when planning the camp, the coordinators’ main focus was on fun.

“The first rule we have is that they have to have fun,” he said. “We told them that we were going to play games at camp, and there were going to be teams that win and teams that lose.”

Another goal for the Troy soccer team was to provide an opportunity for the athletic department to connect with the city.

“I think it is great getting the city involved with our team and working with kids,” said Payton Donley, a Troy soccer player and camp volunteer. “I haven’t had a chance to be around kids like I normally would be back home, so it’s fun to be able to run around and play with kids all day.”

Hamilton said soccer is the fastest growing sport in the world and he wants Troy to be a part of that. He hopes that getting the younger players out on the soccer field will encourage more soccer leagues in the area.

The youth camp is taking place through today. The Troy University soccer team will host an overnight camp for girls ages eighth-grade and older beginning July 31.