UC Merced coaches young football players as part of its summer camp

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) — Shaping future football stars.

“I learned how to control the ball,” said one football player.

“You can use the inside of your foot, the outside of your foot or the laces,” said another young child.

One hundred children, ages 4 to 12, gathered at a UC Merced on Tuesday.

They participate in a four-day camp that provides a jump-start on achieving future goals as young athletes.

“Look at all the smiles around here, it’s becoming contagious and I think one kid having a good time leads to two more kids coming out and wanting to have fun,” said Albert Martins, UC football coach Merced.

For one UC Merced student, things have come full circle.

“I was one of the players who played here, yes, with coach Albert,” said Alondra Higareda.

She is from Merced and went to summer soccer camp as a little girl.

She said she was inspired to work her way up to the college level and play for the Bobcats.

“Are you having fun? Are you ready to get back out there and work hard again?” Higareda asked.

She not only coaches the children during this summer camp, but is also involved in her community, reading and mentoring primary school students.

For the parents who help little ones stay hydrated, they say connecting their kids with role models while learning new skills is a “win-win.”

“When you see college athletes as a kid, they’re like an idol, and you just hold them to such a high standard,” one mother said.

Martins said the camp has been such a success that they will host another group of young football players in July.

Click here to register for the next camp.

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