Elite Player Programs

Advanced player pathways

Brought to you by Challenger Pro, our Elite Camps are highly competitive with specific focus on collegiate preparation and educating our younger players on how to train accordingly.

ADVANCING YOUR ELITE ASPIRATIONS

Learn more about our Elite Camps below

Be seen and be identified
Be seen. Be identified.

Our Elite Camps are part of Challenger PRO's Elite Player Pathway and employ and provide access to domestic and international collegiate scouts. Our SPIRE ID Program provides an opportunity to join us at our National Training Center at the SPIRE Academy in Ohio. Whilst our older players might be identified as a potential student athlete at the Steven Gerrard Academy in Liverpool, England.

Post to post goalkeeper training
Get better and stand out

Our curriculum is based upon our legacy programs of Post To Post and SoccerPlus, established by the legendary US Coach, Tony DiCicco. We focus on technical skills, execution of speed, and natural solutions. The "When, Why and How" approach. We concentrate on the development of the player and the end goal is to produce skillful, creative, self-critical, reflective & intelligent players, who are technically sound in their peak years.

 

Elite camps fighting for the ball
Understand the process

Campers will be exposed to off the field education which will lead to improved soccer IQ and a more thorough understanding of the college recruiting process. They will also be taught what it is like to 'train like a pro', experiencing life lessons in dealing with pressure, setting goals, maintaining focus and fostering motivation.

Challenger PRO

Elite Camps

Choose from the options below

Elite Camps Red Border V1

Residential Camps

Both Field Players and Goalkeepers are eligible. An overnight camp for the Elite Player looking to continue their soccer journey towards college.

Typically aimed at 13 yrs+. Commuter options available.

4 weeks of "Train Like A Pro" available at our National Training Center, SPIRE Academy:

June 2-6, June 16-20, July 7-11 and July 14-18

Additional GK/Striker options:

June 14-16 (3 day weekend camp)

August 4-8

(all include commuter option)

We also run 4 weeks of Creative Skills Camps at SPIRE alongside our Train Like A Pro weeks. All of our SPIRE camps are listed on this page.

Regional Training Center options:

July 28-Aug 1st @ Northfield- Mount Hermon School, MA

We run International Camps in Liverpool, England via our relationship with the Steven Gerrard Academy.

Available to both players and non-players. Includes visits with Manchester City and Everton including but not limited to live preseason games, stadium tours and sightseeing. Payment plans available. First come first served.

July 12-21

SPIRE INTERNATIONAL CUP

Are you a coach looking to send your team to an Elite Summer Training Camp and Tournament whilst gaining further education for free? 

The annual SPIRE Invitational Cup runs from July 28-August 1 at our National Training Center, SPIRE Academy and is very affordable for your players if you can bring the whole team.

Check out our brochure for this tournament by clicking the button below:

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Steve Richards srichards@challengersports.com.

Day Camps

Alternative option to the residential camp if your Elite Player is not yet ready for the overnight experience.

Typically aimed at 11 yrs+. Sessions for both field players and goalkeepers.

Located around North America at 15 of our Regional Training Centers.

Some of our residential options above will include a commuter option.

what else is included
  1. A FREE introductory virtual webinar on Sports Psychology from AIM-FOR, who have worked with (amongst others) Liverpool FC, West Ham FC and England U19. This includes an option to join an additional educational pathway.
  2. A series of FREE College Planner resources which educate and prepare players on the identification process for college recruitment, including AOS-DISC assessments
  3. Parent support and education to help understand the college recruitment process

Elite Camps Faqs

We know that a lot of programs will label themselves as 'elite'. We want you to understand ours so you can make an informed decision on whether to join us this summer.

Our curriculum is designed for players with high aspirations for playing at the collegiate or even professional levels. This camp provides an elite training environment that encourages the development of the complete player. You can expect to receive a training environment that will give you an inside look at what is expected from collegiate-level athletes regarding ability, discipline, and effort in games and practices. We don't just stop there — we are here to help maximize players' potential with technical sessions at game pace while allowing you to showcase your talent in front of experts and top coaches as future collegiate student athletes.

We also cater for those athletes who are ready for the residential experience; as well as having session designed for both outfield players and goalkeepers.

Lastly, our Elite Camps provide one way, perhaps the most common, for you to begin a journey as part of our Elite Player Pathway.

With two specialized, proven curriculums for goalkeepers and field players, our philosophy is simple: teach technical skills first, then focus on execution at game speed. Our comprehensive program includes training in striking and saving the ball, and developing natural solutions out on the field, which allows for more scoring or saving opportunities. All sessions are brilliantly planned with a clear focus on HOW, WHY, and WHEN - the essential knowledge for succeeding at the higher collegiate level.

Our program is based on over 40 years of experience and focuses on developing a complete player on and off the field. By attending camp, you will gain insights required for professional development, ensuring all aspects are taken care of — from technical abilities to improving soccer IQ and, finally, understanding the college recruiting process. Our College Soccer Planner gives our athletes the materials and instructions needed beyond high school. The result? A transformed athlete ready for success in both athletics and academics that appeals to college recruiters.

All camps offered by Challenger PRO are designed to identify future student athletes to participate in our Study and Play programs. We offer a domestic option in Ohio for ages 13yrs+ and an international option in Liverpool, England, due to our partnership with the Steven Gerrard Academy. Learn more here.

The Elite Camps, whether day or residential, are also part of our SPIRE ID Program. Every year we will identify 150 players attending camps at our regional and national training centers and invite them to attend our National ID Combine, to be held every winter at our national training center in Ohio at the SPIRE Academy. 15 boys and 15 girls will then be invited to tour as part of SPIRE Internationals Tour.  These players will then also be assessed as to their eligibility for our Study and Play division.

At Challenger Sports, we have designed an Elite Player Pathway from the age of 11 years for players or student athletes aspiring to play at the next level. This can mean advancing their own game or, if they're ready, preparing them to look at collegiate or professional level options. The main way we facilitate this is through our Elite Camps, but we also offer ID Combines in select locations too. These come together to provide a pathway to our exclusive Study and Play division.

We also provide residential coaching courses throughout the year. Certification and details will vary from site to site, but all will be customized in partnership with nationally recognized governing bodies as well as each host site. 

All of these components, aimed at the Elite level of the game, come together under our Challenger PRO umbrella.

Yes we do!

We have an ultimate camp experience payment plan. Residential camps will allow you to make a $250 deposit and then pay $100 a month up to 30 days before camp, whilst our day camps will allow you to make a $100 deposit and then pay $50 a month up to 30 days before camp. 

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