Rage players learn from pros

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Ten-year-old Calvin Drake’s eyes darted back and forth as the soccer ball made its way up and down the field.

The Braden River Soccer Club U10 striker sat and watched as members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies professional soccer team demonstrated a series of training drills.

“I was pretty excited,” Calvin said. “I just wanted to learn a couple of drills.”

Calvin was one of dozens of Braden River Soccer Club players who had the opportunity to see what it takes to compete at the next level during organization’s Tampa Bay Rowdies hour-long practice March 6.

“We wanted to show the kids how the professionals practice, with the hopes that some of them may realize that becoming a professional soccer player is not out of their reach if they give a 100% all of the time,” Braden River Soccer Club President Brenden Moriarty said. “We wanted to show the kids that the Rowdies players are just regular guys who have earned the opportunity, through hard work, to continue playing at the professional level.”

The Rowdies players demonstrated a plethora of individual and team drills while also teaching the importance of strength and conditioning.

Following the training session, the Rowdies spent time signing autographs, meeting with players and posing for pictures.

“I was excited, because they’re semi-pro, so it was nice to see up close how they practice,” 12-year-old Taylor Augustyniak said. “They pass a lot and have quick decisions.”

The Rowdies’ night practice was the first in a series of events the Braden River Soccer Club has planned with the professional soccer team.

On March 29, several members of the Rowdies will be hosting a skills clinic for the players who are registered in the Braden River Soccer Club’s spring program. In addition, all of the players in the spring program also will be attending one of the Rowdies upcoming home games.

“We wanted to provide the community with the opportunity to see a professional practice and simply interact with the players,” Moriarty said. “Some of our kids may never have the opportunity to talk with or kick the ball around with a professional player. Hopefully, last night, they got that chance.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].