The kids are really getting into it.
Wrexham AFC, a Welsh football team that gained popularity with celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is hosting its first youth camp in the U.S., setting up in Massapequa, a well-known soccer hub on Long Island.
“We’ve been working hard to extend our reach,” mentioned Josh Evans, the long-time program officer for Wrexham, while at Burns Park in Nassau County.
The Massapequa Soccer Club and the Long Island Junior Soccer League have helped bring in top-notch trainers for the camp, including some of Wrexham’s best, like former player Starben Touser.
“To these kids, it’s like ‘Hey, that could be me,'” said John Fitzgerald, the sports director for the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
Grace Robson, a 10-year-old whose team is a fan of “Welcome to Wrexham,” expressed how her excitement grew after engaging with her idols directly. “I was so excited. I couldn’t sleep the night before. And their accents? I found that pretty funny,” she shared.
Evans is also introducing kids to Welsh phrases, like teaching them that “bore da” means “good morning.” “Yeah, they love it,” he added, noting that Wrexham’s presence has made a big impression on fans.
Plans for the Future
The establishment of Wrexham’s youth camp in the U.S. is a testament to the efforts of Paul Bigilin, who heads the Massapequa Soccer Club, along with Jim Kilmeade from Town Soccer Icon, who is, interestingly, the brother of Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade.
They collaborated with Terry Burton, the CEO of a UK-based soccer development program. “They understand our long history with football and the vibrant community we have in Massapequa,” Bigilin mentioned, noting that his son Nick coaches the Long Island University boys’ team.
Each day of camp brings a different theme focusing on the basics of soccer, making it both fun and informative for the kids.
Fitzgerald, who also serves as head coach for the local American soccer club dubbed the Fighting Tomcats, added that he’s currently assessing player options for the upcoming season. “Most of our team is local,” he pointed out regarding the National Prime Minister’s Football League Group.
Moreover, Fitzgerald emphasized that events like these, paired with good coaching, are vital in nurturing future stars—either locally or perhaps even internationally. “That’s how you keep players engaged,” he concluded.
Kilmeade, who played soccer as a child in Massapequa and continued at Hofstra University, now manages the American SC for Wrexham. “This initiative is an important part of making Long Island and the wider New York area a center for soccer development and excellence,” he reflected.
