YPT Residence Program

John,

Sorry this letter is late in reaching you. Alek attended YPT for the first time as a U15. I have to say when we picked him up he was very quiet. I believe the heat had really gotten to him. He was a bit overwhelmed knowing that he was driving for the next 12 hours only to get back home and leave 3 days later for US Club Nationals. My husband and I wanted the details but they just didn't come out on the way home. So we thought, maybe it wasn't the right program for him. We watched him play in NC 5 days later with a little more "umph" in his game. (His team eventually lost in the finals 2-1) Sure enough on the way home from NC we started hearing about the program. He told us how much he really liked his coach from Anderlecht and that next year he would choose him again. He said he was probably the toughest coach in his age group, but you can't learn without being challenged. He also started saying how nice it was to see his fellow YPT teammates at US Club Nationals and hopes to see them at future tourneys. He has worn his Anderlecht shirt with great pride and now follows that team on the internet. He now talks about "next year" and who he wants to go with him from his current club. We knew camp was a success when he chose his YPT shirt to wear on his first day of school. Thanks for including him in your program and he hopes to see St. Andrews again next summer.

Jill U., Mother of Alek, u16 Sockers FC, (IL)

Hey John

Thank you for a great week. I enjoyed the high level and intense training. I hope in the future to train in Europe, and I know that camp really helped me become a better player. If you have anything else like that going on I would love to do it. Thank you for the camp.

Nate A., u13 Spirit United (EPA) [2006 State Cup Champion]

Hi John,

Nate said that he saw you this evening at a scrimmage Coppa 82 was playing. That reminded me that I have not sat down to write a "Thank you" for running such a wonderful camp this year. Nate and his Coppa teammates that attended this year's camp are all looking forward to next year and rave about the level of play, level of training and coaching, and facilities.

I am happy to recommend your YPT camp to players who take the sport of soccer seriously and wish to keep improving their individual and team skills. Nate aspires to play in college and professionally some day and was all set to go train with Manchester United, following the camp. Stuart Leicester was an inspiring trainer/coach, sharing that element of fun and joy that only serves to inspire a player like Nate all the more.

While you were quick to direct the compliments to your camp staff and the boys themselves, I must compliment you on your drawing together such a class group in such a class place and in such a class way. Thank you for your inspiring training/coaching/leadership!

Dave A., father of Nate

Erik had a fantastic time at YPT. It was his first "sleep away" camp and he was right at home. You and your staff did an excellent job with the boys. They all looked to be taking care of business, which I thought was impressive.

I know he was tired when he got home, but he would have gone back for a second and third week.

Your program fed his passion for the game. He loved being around so many talented kids and coaches. Thanks for the opportunity.

Bruce H, father of Erik, u13 Radnor SC (EPA)

Hi John:

I forwarded your email to Eytan so he can give you his feedback, but as all the previous years he's gone to YPT, he was very happy and please to have attended it again. The same goes for the other two PDA players I recommended the camp (Jameson and Mike).

The players and coaches you bring make it an excellent and a very challenging environment. As I told you the last day, unfortunately is only just one week.

Thanks again for organizing it and keep us posted of all YPT's activities before next July.

Aliva B., father of Eytan, u12 PDA Ronald (NJ)

John

I wanted to wait to see how Alec's first practice session went this week until I wrote you back. His confidence level and touch on the ball has improved more than I thought it would. He ran thru drills at "Pace". Homesickness aside, all Alec talks about is the "ultimate soccer experience". To listen to him now (what homesickness????). He wore is YPT jersey proudly to his training session tonight. The quality of the players you chose was remarkable and an eye opener for Alec.

I wanted to thank you again for considering Alec for your camp. As I mentioned briefly to you , I would be happy to make some arrangements to cover next years camp if you would have us back.

Regards,

Jay T., father of Alec

Dear John Fisher,

The YPT program was a phenomenal experience for me. The coaching was above all expectations and the level of soccer was exceptional. The three-a-day sessions were difficult at first, but they really helped my physical ability, and taught me that I still have to play at my best when fatigue comes into play.

Now having played with some of the top players and trainers, I have realized how high the standard is. This camp inspired me to train harder at YPT, and more so on my own.

Furthermore, I found the camp was well set up. The first two sessions were fun yet challenging, and then we could look forward to the championship league. Having this camp at St. Andrew School was a great privilege as well. The rooms were fine, the food was fine, and the fields were obviously very well kept. Once again, this was a great experience for me and I would love to get this opportunity again.

Michael S., u13 Brandywine United (EPA)

Mike's words and opinions say it all. It was exciting as a parent to see how Mike stacks up against top talent. I support Mike's decision to participate in the camp next year if he qualifies. I shared your observation of how mature and well behaved the boys seemed to be.

I found that the officiating during the championship league permitted rough play that would have been penalized in an actual match. This may prevent players from learning how to effectively play in a true match situation and more importantly, could result in unwanted injuries.

Overall, the camp experience was extremely positive for Mike and for me. I appreciate that Mike was invited to enjoy such a great week of soccer with great training and a good group of young men.

Keith S., father of Michael

Hi John,

It's Jean, Cody Antonini's mother...I just wanted to let you know that Cody enjoyed his week at your program...It was his first time there, and he is very sorry it is the last year. He just loved his trainer and got along very well with him and everyone. He said the better than most for a camp...lol..you know kids. He liked the way it was run, the atmosphere, and as usual with YPT, it was a positive experience for him.

Thanx again for accepting him.

Jean A., mother of Cody, u17 Montgomery (EPA)

John,

We would like to thank you for giving our two boys Steven & Matthew the opportunity to train with excellent coaches from the legendary European clubs. You cannot get that type of training anywhere in America.

The boys loved staying at St. Andrews and meeting so many other phenomenal soccer players from all over the country.

Lastly, we especially appreciate the opportunity you provided Steven by selecting him to the 2006 YPTusa European Tour. It was an experience that he will cherish for a lifetime.

Thanks again!

JD & Debbie Hogsten, parents of Steven, u16 CDSA Revolution (DE), and Matt, u13 Kirkwood Ajax Premier (DE)

Hi,

Thanks for a terrific camp experience at YPT. Zack was very positive about the week....meeting other players (especially the boys from Germany), the excellent coaches, and especially seeing the high caliber of the players all made a strong impact on him. We appreciate you and the staff taking such exceptional care of the players during the high heat conditions....Zack now knows all about hydration, for sure!!
The only critique from Zack was that he really wanted more time with Alex for keeper-only sessions. I think he expected a daily keeper session, and would love that for the future. He thought the world of Alex, and wanted to get more from him.
Otherwise, great work, and thank you for involving Zack in YPT. Your feedback is always welcome!

Amanda S., mother of Zach, u13 CV United (EPA)

John,

This was Nick�s third year at camp, in addition to one of your European tours. He had a great time and continues to hold your camps in high regard.

Sadly, due to his age, this was his last year. He has realized obvious benefits on the field and off the field has come to know a much greater part of the soccer community that wouldn�t have been possible without your programs.

Thank you for providing the great opportunities over the years.

Dan, father of Nick, u16 FC Delco (EPA)

John,

A quick note to let you know that William was selected to play for the U14 National Team at the Disney Showcase Tournament in Orlando at Thanksgiving. He is part of a squad of 36 players that will train for three days then divide into two teams to play three games each against other regional ODP squads. He is looking forward to it a lot, as you can imagine.

I give a lot of credit to his coach at YPT this past July, Stuart Lester, for helping Will get selected for the National team. Stuart spent the week at YPT teaching Will how to play defensive center-mid. Will took this knowledge and played as defensive center-mid during the qualifying process for the National team. I am convinced that the techniques he learned from Stuart helped him to stand out, particularly since Will had never played this position before. If you are in touch with Stuart, please pass along my thanks to him for all his help.

On another note, Will is heading over to England at the end of January for six weeks to train with Birmingham City's academy. You may recall that Will has trained there before, and they have been kind enough to extend another invitation for him to train with the U14's. He will be training three times per week, with a game every Sunday, so he should gain some valuable experience while he is there. Will's school has been incredibly supportive, even to the point of enthusiastic and encouraging (since we were not sure that six weeks out of school was a great idea) which has helped immensely. Each of his teachers has ideas for him about what they want him to do while he is there and, with the internet, e-mailing assignments should not be too difficult. Will's mother is going with him to supervise and make sure that there is someone familiar around! It will be an interesting experience from which I am sure he will learn a great deal.

I hope everything is going well for you. I look forward to catching up with you soon.

Richard, father of Will, u14 (MA)

Hi, John! I just wanted to thank you for including my son ,Jameson Lochhead, in your Residence Program this year. When I asked him what he thought of your camp, he described it as "awesome" - not a word I have heard him use very often! He has been to many soccer camps over the years but none have challenged him like YPT not only because of your outstanding trainer, Mick Priest, but also because of the quality of the boys attending the camp. Playing with other players from elite teams helps to take the player's game to the next level and Jameson recognized (and enjoyed playing with) a number of players whom he has played against in tournaments this year such as the Delco Cup and the Jefferson Cup. He thought that there was a good balance between drills and scrimmages and that, despite the extreme heat, everyone worked hard and still managed to have fun. He is already talking about applying for next year ! As I left with him on Friday, I heard him talking with a number of players (many who he did not know before last week) about coming back next summer and all of them said they hoped to be accepted next year, my son included.

I look forward to seeing him put into practice this season what he learned at YPT this summer.

Thanks again.

Fiona Lochhead, mother of Jameson, u13 PDA Ronaldo (NJ)