The Rice family held their Second Annual Calhoun-Sonoraville soccer camp this past week. The camp drew 36 kids on the first day with a few more that were expected to come throughout the week to push the number to around 40.

“We had quite an increase in the younger campers,” said Randy, head coach of the Calhoun High School girls. “We expect the numbers to go up every year.”

The joint soccer camp is one of a kind. It is the only camp where two coaches from two local schools have teamed up to teach the youth.

“It is a thrill to work this combined camp and work with my dad,” said Matt, the SHS boys coach. “Hopefully this camp will provide more instruction with coaches from different school backgrounds.”

“We live in the county and we teach in the county,” added Randy. “This camp is all about the kids. There are no Calhoun kids out there. There are no Sonoraville kids out there. They are just kids.”

The camp teaches kids between the ages of 6-14 with the younger group kicking off in the early morning and the older group starting around 10 a.m.

The camp focuses on teaching the basic fundamentals of the game in a fun and exciting manor.

“We are trying to provide a camp first and foremost for the ones that are new to soccer to teach them the basic fundamentals,” said Matt. “Since we have such a large staff we are able to provide team and individual instruction.”

Randy wants the camp to focus on two things.

“This is a fun game,” added Randy. “It is a good game to get in shape and stay in shape.”

Helping the Rice family with the camp this year was Matt Sinyard and several members from the Calhoun girls’ soccer team and Sonoraville boys’ soccer team.

The camp also gives Randy and Matt another chance to work with each other. Randy the father, and Matt the son, have a close relationship and enjoy each other’s company.

“I wish we could be at the same school to coach together but fortunately he coaches the boys and I coach the girls so I don’t have to play against him,” said Randy. “Any opportunity we have a chance to coach one of these camps I enjoy it.”

Randy watched Matt come up as a camper and now they are both thrilled to work together. Matt believes that being a previous camper will help him to work better as an instructor.

“I know where the campers are coming from and I can combine that with what the instructor needs to do,” said Matt. “I can look at how I was at different ages and determine what will work and what won’t.”