A Galaxy of opportunity

KAPAA — Former Los Angeles Galaxy player Kyle Nakazawa will be hosting a youth soccer camp in Kapaa later this month.

Having spent a lot of time on Kauai, Nakazawa said he has seen a lot of talent on the island and wants to give younger players an opportunity to be coached by several of his former coaches and teammates.

“Kauai is unique because it’s isolated,” Nakazawa said. “It’s hard to get coaches over here and give kids the same opportunity that I had growing up.”

Nakazawa, who has family on the island and works as a firefighter in central California, said the ultimate reward for him would be to see some of the kids from his camp excel at the next level.

“The opportunity for [the kids] to succeed and play at the collegiate level, that would be super rewarding for me to see,” he said. “I’d like to start bringing more collegiate coaches to give the older kids a chance to go to college for soccer.”

Eleele resident Lanell Miyamoto’s son, Kody, attended the past three camps and said he loved it.

“Every year it’s different,” she said. “He just loves soccer. He’s like a sponge.”

One of the featured instructors is Anahola resident Mariko Strickland.

Strickland previously played at Long Beach State and San Diego State, and also played one year of semi-pro ball.

She said it is difficult to get recruited by college coaches but hopes the camp will motivate the kids to continue playing soccer if that is what they want.

“It’s not impossible. It’s going to take a lot of hard work getting to the next level off Kauai,” she said.

She also said while most may not end up playing professionally, playing the sport can lead to other opportunities such as education.

Miyamoto said while the camp teaches soccer, it also emphasizes the importance of being good students.

“They push the kids to study hard,” she said. “[They] make sure their schoolwork comes first.”

Nakazawa understands how difficult it is, especially on Kauai, for players to get recruited.

“The kids who play at the competitive club level, they have to travel. Most of them play [for] Oahu clubs.” he said. “To be seen by coaches, you have to travel. You have to travel to the Mainland because that’s where the main college showcases are.

“I know for a lot of families, it’s difficult making that commitment. I lived on the Mainland, but it was hard for my parents to send me off, too. I just try to make it easier for them to have the opportunities that I had.”

Strickland said it’s great to return and teach kids on the island.

“To come back and coach on the same fields that I played on, it’s special,” Strickland said. “[I get] to share my experience and knowledge. Hopefully I’ll inspire them.”

This will be the fourth year in which Nakazawa has organized a camp on Kauai.

He said organizing his first camp was difficult because he didn’t know what to expect, but each one has grown since and he expects an even more successful turnout this year.

“There is a lot of returning kids. I’d love to see some new faces out there,” Nakazawa said. “I’d love to see some older high school players that are eager to push their game and improve.

“I’m just really looking forward to seeing the players with good attitudes and making a positive difference for them,” he said.

Except for last year because of illness, Strickland has been involved with the camps since the beginning.

“Each camp has been progressively better and organized,” Strickland said. “We have a good staff. I expect a good showing of kids.”

Nakazawa said the kids are especially excited to work with college coaches and in turn they feel the same way when they travel to the island.

“The most positive feedback I’ve gotten in the past few years from the coaches is how stoked the kids are, how grateful they are,” he said. “All the players that have attended camp have had a positive attitude. You give them instruction and they smile and are glad to do it.

“I think that’s how they grow up over here. They’re super respectful and really appreciate stuff like this.”

The camps will run from Dec. 21-23 at the Lydgate Soccer Fields in Kapaa.

The fee is $90 for half-day sessions and $130 for full-day sessions.

Nakazawa can be reached at (310) 245-1304.