Nike Sponsors Nile C. Kinnick Soccer Clinic at Berkley Field

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka Nile C. Kinnick High School boys and girls soccer players participated in a Nike-sponsored soccer clinic at Berkley Field March 9, to improve their overall skills by learning from some of America's best soccer coaches.

Total Football Inc., a company based out of Tokyo, Japan committed to introducing high-level European-style football training techniques to players and coaches in Japan, conducted the clinic.

The sessions are designed for soccer enthusiasts of all ability levels who are looking to improve their skills in a fun, learning environment.

"Today we worked on offensive system play, predominately with forwards and strikers, while attacking the goal," said David Shaffer, Total Football Inc. senior staff coach. "I've got to say that I was overly impressed with the enthusiasm these students had. The level of play here varies from high to mid-skill level. I believe that there are some kids here that can play in a college program, but they just are not getting looked at from overseas. Our focus is on helping kids get an education through soccer."

Shaffer, who has been living in Japan for four months, had never ventured to Yokosuka, until now.

He previously played professional soccer in various leagues in Holland, Germany and the United States and has more than 20 years coaching experience. His work has not only included training in Japan, but also in China, Thailand and the Republic of the Philippines.

He was assisted by a team of professionals, all of which had an in-depth background of the game.

"This is my fifth time coming to the base, and this new-generation of players here have a drastically improved skillset," said George Kuriyama, Nike senior goalkeeper coach. "I think that says a lot about the efforts of the Nile C. Kinnick coaching staff in attempting to challenge the students to achieve more."

Kuriyama played 10 years in Liga MX, the Mexican professional league, most notably a four-year stint with Mexico Cruz Azul. He has coached in Japan for six years. Last year, he assisted with the development of players of the under 23-year old national team of the Republic of the Philippines.

Total Football Inc. works closely with major European clubs such as Manchester United, Futbol Football Club, Barcelona, Arsenal Futbol, Juventus and Celtic, while bringing their best youth coaches over to Japan to provide custom made coaching clinics to all, from pre-school through high school.

"The biggest reason to start the Nike program was to expand soccer training for kids at the grassroots level in Japan," said Jun Nishiyoka, assistant coach and interpreter. "In Japan I see a lot of bored players. The problem is they are used to doing the same routine over and over. We want players to feel something different and stay motivated about the sport, and feel that soccer is fun."

Kinnick's student athletes were very appreciative of the opportunity to work with Nike specialists.

"It was very helpful for us all to attend this clinic," said Risa Haas, senior varsity defensive middleman. "I am really optimistic about our season and attending this clinic has done nothing but motivate me."


For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.