GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College men's soccer head coach Allen Vital is proud to announce the dates for the 2016 Pioneer Soccer School. (More Info)

The Pioneer Soccer School offers various training opportunities and community engagement events throughout the year.

Four outstanding camps for players of all levels and positions will be available this summer, all under the Allen Vital Star Soccer Academy umbrella.

The Junior Day Camp and the Elite Residential Camp are entering their 11th year. Both of these camps exceeded their projected capacity last year, while attracting young players from all over the region and internationally.

Returning to this year's camp line-up for a second year are the Residential Goalkeeping & Strikers Camp and the Path2College ID Clinic. Both of these camps are very exciting programs especially the Goalkeeping and Strikers Camp which will once again feature Fulham FC goalkeeper coach Victor Bettinelli.

"I'm especially excited for the young goalkeepers of our area who will get this unique opportunity once again to work with a goalkeeper trainer of the caliber of Victor Bettinelli," said Vital. "Coach Bettinelli has helped develop some of the most outstanding goalkeepers in world soccer including: Edwin Van Der Sar (Manchester United, Ajax, Juventus, Holland's World Cup national team) and Kasey Keller (US national team, Seattle Sounders FC, Portland Timbers, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham FC).

The Path2College ID Clinic will offer training, a path to college seminar, and mentorship to high school age players who are preparing to play at the collegiate level. In addition to college level training sessions, participants in the program will receive valuable information to guide them through the recruiting and college application processes.

No matter what level you aspire to play, the Pioneer Soccer School will help players train for that goal. Join one of the Pioneer Soccer School camps this summer and elevate your game to a higher level.

Junior Pioneer Academy (May 23-25)

The Junior Pioneer Academy summer camp is structured specifically for young players, who are learning the fundamentals of the game. The sessions are open to both boys and girls between ages 5-8. Players are grouped according to age and ability level.

Residential Goalkeeper & Striker Camp (June 12-15)

This camp is for goalkeepers and strikers of all levels. Players will be grouped based on their age and ability level. Whether you are an established keeper or striker at the club or high school levels or you are a young beginner, this camp will provide you the necessary training and will help you to improve your goalkeeping and finishing skills. The training sessions will focus improving the fundamental skills to cater to the modern game. For the goalkeeper- Catching, positioning, footwork, distribution, and dealing with crosses will all be covered through the week. For the striker positional development of different types of finishing and striking the ball will be taught as well as an emphasis on repetition of shooting accuracy, movement towards the ball and preparation on striking the ball in various ways. Coordination, agility, and strength training will be included as part of the curriculum as well.

Elite Residential Camp (June 26-30)

This session is designed for the competitive player, age 8-19 years old boys and girls. The curriculum will feature small sided games and age appropriate group tactics. The practices are structured so players can polish fundamental technical skills. This camp will help players become more comfortable on the ball and compete at a higher level in the future. Sessions address dribbling skills, passing exercises, shooting and finishing, dribbling moves, faking, combination play, crossing and heading etc. We will also cover tactical topics such as ball-oriented defending, counter attacking, defending numbers down, etc. Small sided and full games are played throughout and at the end of each day. This camp is competitive and fun.

Path2College ID Clinic (August 6)

The Path2College ID Clinic offers high-school-aged male soccer players and older the opportunity to experience a day of collegiate coaching, mentorship and guidance under the watchful eye of the Tusculum College coaching staff. The game situational environments we produce resemble coaching instructions that current college players experience. In addition, we aim to unveil the college experience one could hope to receive with exposure to current collegiate players who will be in attendance, the Tusculum coaching staff, the Tusculum campus and other collegiate coaching faculty. Another feature of this clinic is for you to learn as much about Tusculum as possible. Therefore, during the clinic there will be a campus tour to explore the beautiful campus of Tusculum College and to read provided literature on what we have to offer as an institution as a whole.

For more information, call the Tusculum men's soccer office at: (423) 636-7496.

- TC -