Challenger soccer camps are character-builders

At dozens of youth soccer camps run this summer by Challenger Sports, players ages 4 to 17 will be coached by members of Challenger's British coaching staff and taught to spar against their peers in World Cup soccer scrimmages.

At the East Side Sports Complex in St. Charles one recent Wednesday, young soccer players were divided by country for their end-of-practice scrimmage. The teams represented Brazil and Nigeria.

Challenger's goal is to develop young athletes' soccer skills and their intercultural ones. At the end of the practice, players present posters illustrating the colors and facts about the country they represent.

During water breaks, coaches quizzed the children on geography and culture. The younger players were asked questions such as, "What three countries make up the United Kingdom?"

The children also create their own healthy sandwich based on a balanced diet with the help of Subway, one of Challenger's sponsors.

Finally, young athletes are taught the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship