April 19, 2007

St. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure University plans to host a two-session summer soccer camp for students from ages eight to 18.

The first session is a day camp specifically tailored for boys and girls between the ages of eight and 16. It will begin on June 25 and end June 29 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second session is a residential camp geared toward girls' high school teams, as well as females between the ages of 10-18. The session begins on July 29 and concludes Aug. 2.

The cost for the day camp is $125, while the residential camp costs $200 for commuters and $350 for residents.

Athletes will receive top-flight instruction from camp staff, as well as current and former St. Bonaventure players from both the men's and women's teams. The Bonnies will also bring in top college coaches from across the country to work with high school teams from July 29 to Aug. 2.

Families and teams are encouraged to apply early due to the limit of 200 campers per week and 12 teams (6 varsity and 6 junior varsity or freshman teams) per week. Club teams aged U14-16 are also welcomed and will compete against high school teams.

Four teams have already confirmed their participation, including: Greece-Athena High School, Allegany-Limestone High School, Olean High School and Indianapolis' Brebeuf Preparatory School.

If there is enough interest, St. Bonaventure will host another week for an additional 12 high school teams beginning July 23 and ending July 28.

St. Bonaventure's head women's soccer coach Manoj Khettry said he had been approached by community members numerous times concerning a summer soccer camp. "We hope that these camps can help provide a supplement to the learning and development that young players in the Olean-Allegany and surrounding communities are receiving," Khettry said. "We are excited to offer this opportunity to work with some of the best college coaches around."

For more information concerning each camp, visit www.gobonnies.com.