Whitecaps FC Kootenay Soccer Camp gets visit from Caps Tim Parker
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Every player on the Vancouver Whitecaps had to get their start somewhere.
And during a camp or two those rising stars probably experienced the opportunity into interact with a current roster player.
During this week’s Whitecaps FC Kootenay Soccer Camp, Tim Parker, a 6’2″ up-and-coming defender with the parent club treated campers with visit Thursday at the Lakeside Fields.
Parker, the 13th overall pick of the Whitecaps in the 2015 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, comes to the Vancouver-based franchise after a stellar career at St. John’s University.
“It was great to come here and see so many smiles on faces,” Parker said Thursday.
“The enthusiasm and enjoyment these players are having is testament to what the coaches are doing here in the Kootenays.”
The 22-year-old Parker, played 79 games with the Red Storm, scoring four goals while adding four assists.
He played in the Premier Development League for the Long Island Rough Riders.
Parker made his professional debut with the Whitecaps USL affiliate team, helping Whitecaps FC to a 4-0 win over Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC.
“I just want to work hard and give it my all,” Parker said when asked about his future with the franchise.
“The aim is to become a regular first team starter. I couldn’t of asked for a better start. The Whitecaps are a fantastic club and i want to continue to grow with them.”
Brett Adams, Kootenay Regional Head coach with the Whitecaps, was pleased with the turnout for the summer camp in Nelson.
Registration for the week long camp, including players between five to 15 years, doubled.
“It’s been an amazing year,” Adams explained.
“The last skills camp we had we had 58 players in a year we have doubled in numbers. This area has truly embraced the Whitecaps and we are grateful for the support.”
And to have representation from the parent club is a bonus for the players attending the camp.
“Tim was great, fantastic head on his shoulders,” Adams said.
“Our players loved having him here. It’s not often that players from this areas get a chance to meet a professional soccer player that is playing regular MLS soccer.”
The Nelson camp concluded Friday.
The Whitecaps move to Castlegar at Twin Rivers School beginning Monday.
There is a Prospects Camp in Nelson August 17-21 and a Attacking and Keepers Camp August 25-27 back in the Heritage City.
For more information contact Adams at badams@whitecapsfc.com
