April 27, 2010

KEYSVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University men's soccer, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Jon Atkinson, recently conducted a soccer clinic for Charlotte County Youth Soccer at the Eureka Elementary School in Keysville.  Coach Atkinson started with approximately 40 adults as he taught various ways to lead a practice, drills to perform, and how to build upon those drills.  The Lancers demonstrated the drills as he explained them.  Coach Atkinson emphasized that the most important part of coaching was making sure the kids “had a smile on their face.”  A question and answer session followed afterwards as well.

Following the adult portion of the clinic, the Longwood men's soccer program split the approximately 120 Charlotte County Youth Soccer members into groups while demonstrating and practicing the techniques further with the local youth.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed the evening of soccer presented by the Lancers.

"Being able to serve our community in south central Virginia is a privilege for the Longwood men's soccer program," said Atkinson.  "I could tell from interactions that our student-athletes received as much from the clinic as the clinicians.

"I want to thank Charlotte County for their invitation, their great turnout, and enthusiasm during our clinic.  We want to express our desire to come again to help soccer thrive within our local community."