IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Some local youth are getting a soccer education this week, courtesy of the Inland Empire’s professional soccer league.
The Empire Strykers of the Major Arena Soccer League are hosting camps in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontana for youngsters four to 17 years old, according to a statement on the team’s website.
The clinics are being held free of charge, and are being conducted by Strykers’ players and coaches. Sponsors include Loma Linda University Children’s Health, Verizon and National CORE’s Rancho Cucamonga office.
San Bernardino County Supervisor, Jesse Armendarez, whose second district includes all three sites, also helped put the program in place.
The July 28 and 29 sessions at Cabrillo Park in Upland drew between 500 and 600 participants, said Jeff Burum, the Strykers’ managing partner and National CORE’s chief executive officer.
“Some of these kids may have never kicked a soccer ball before, but it’s good that they’re out of the house, running around and getting some exercise,” Burum said. “Who knows, maybe we’ll find the next Marco Fabian or Landon Turner.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, the camps move to South Fontana Park in Fontana, with Thursday also featuring a session at Rancho Cucamonga’s Red Hill Community Park that will carry over into Friday.
Daily sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with each participant receiving a free camp shirt and soccer ball.
National CORE is a nonprofit that develops affordable multifamily housing for seniors, mixed-income and special needs buyers. It operates in California, Texas, and Florida.
