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Men's Soccer spends preseason training camp in Virginia Beach area ahead of 2011 fall season

Sports Information Department BC

August 24, 2011

Bluefield College Athletics

Sports Information Department

Bluefield, Virginia

Virginia Beach, VA

The men's soccer team traveled to the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake area last Sunday to spend a week of preseason training together ahead of its 2011 season. 

2011 BC Squad

Players arrived in Bluefield early last week for several training sessions before departing for the coast, where players would participate in a variety of activities on and off the field.

Upon arrival to the beach, the team trained five different times at the beautiful Virginia Beach Sportsplex, home of the Virginia Beach Pirhanas (PDL side) and Virginia Rush soccer club. The top professional level training facility gave the players a great environment to kick the season off on the right note.

"The sportsplex has given us the ability to really organize and plan high level training sessions for the boys", added Head Coach Peter Dryer. "The complex is amazing, the turf is comfortable and the weather has cooperated very well for us. We trust this week will only enhance our progress ahead of our first regular season match." 

Virginia Beach Sportsplex

Beside the VA Beach Sportsplex is the "Fieldhouse". A brand new, state-of-the-art indoor sports complex comprised of 6 soccer fields, multi-sport courts, locker rooms, a food court and much more. The Fieldhouse accomodated the team not only between training sessions but also for one of the two kids camps the Bluefield squad would assist with during its week stay.

Each evening, Bluefield would partner with a Brazilian Soccer Ministry team to hold a three-hour soccer clinic for children of all ages. The evening camp was established and hosted by St. Johns Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, a Virginia Baptist Association church member. Current Bluefield College board trustee member and a St. Johns Baptist Church member, Pearl Moyers Dean, was instrumental in organizing the trip in the initial stages.

After long evenings, the team would arrive early at its second camp in Chesapeake. The morning camp was hosted by Centerville Baptist Church in conjuction with their Vacation Bible School. Over 110 children attended each day as the Bluefield College players assisted and taught the game of soccer throughout the week. Another former BC connection helped initially connect the squad with Centerville Baptist. Ann Lovingood, a Bluefield native and BC alum, was an integral piece to the puzzle in preparing the weeks' events.

Not only was the trip a great opportunity for the men's squad to serve others and give back, but also an informative approach for the team. On Wednesday, the Rams scrimmaged the Brazilian squad for 60 minutes. The Brazilian squad consisted of players who have played throughout the top professional flight in Brazil, one of which who has defended against the world's greatest including Ronaldo, Romario, Robert Carlos and more. The team also has the current Brazilian national team chaplain and another player who plays professionally in the United States in the USL (United Soccer Leagues). 

"Haiti" interacting with kids

The team returns back to southwest Virginia late Thursday night and will return to the training grounds on Friday morning before their "Blue-White" inter-squad match on Sunday evening. Soon after, the team will host one scrimmage match versus Southern Virginia before starting the regular season off at Mid-South conference opponent, Shawnee State.

For more information on Men's Soccer and other Fall sports, log on to www.bcrams.com or follow the Rams on Twitter @BluefieldRams or on Facebook by searching "Bluefield College Athletics."

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