SIMA Summer Camp to Host Division I Coaches and Former Pros at Montverde Academy, July 10–13, 2014
SIMA Summer Camp opens July 10–13, 2014 at Montverde Academy, offering a residential training program for boys 13–16 with Division I coaches and pro guests.
SIMA Summer Camp announced at Montverde Academy
The Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy is staging a residential SIMA Summer Camp from July 10–13, 2014, welcoming male players aged 13 to 16 for an intensive training experience. The camp will be held on the Montverde Academy campus and will leverage the program’s high-performance facilities and boarding capacity to deliver a fully residential schedule.
Montverde’s program is riding a wave of success, with its high school team completing a fourth consecutive undefeated season and claiming a fourth national championship in as many years. Those achievements form the backdrop for a summer initiative that aims to connect young players with collegiate-level coaching and former professional talent.
Coaching roster to include NCAA Division I head and associate head coaches
Organizers say the SIMA Summer Camp coaching staff will be composed exclusively of head and associate head coaches from NCAA Division I programs across the United States. That collegiate coaching presence is intended to give participants exposure to the philosophies, standards, and evaluation criteria used at the top level of U.S. college soccer.
In addition to the collegiate coaches, the camp will feature former professionals as guest instructors, enhancing on-field learning with first-hand insights from players who competed at the highest levels. The blend of college coaches and ex-pro guests is a central selling point for the SIMA Summer Camp curriculum.
Former professionals Mamadou Diallo and Salif Diao set to attend
Two notable professional attendees confirmed for the camp are Mamadou Diallo, a former Major League Soccer leading scorer and 2001 ESPY nominee, and Salif Diao, who had spells with Liverpool FC and represented Senegal at international level. Both are scheduled as professional guests and will work directly with campers during technical and tactical sessions.
Their presence is expected to give participants unique perspectives on finishing, movement off the ball, and the professional mindset required to compete beyond youth levels. Coaches and organizers note that access to players with top-flight experience complements the collegiate coaching cohort and reinforces the program’s emphasis on real-world development.
Program philosophy: player development and accessibility
SIMA director Mike Potempa states the camp’s mission centers on player development, with a deliberate focus on providing high-level coaching to a broad audience. The SIMA Summer Camp is designed to be affordable and inclusive, with organizers setting a nominal registration fee to reduce financial barriers for talented youngsters.
Potempa emphasizes the value of working in concentrated small-group settings where attendees receive direct feedback from experienced coaches. The camp’s capped enrollment and residential format are intended to maximize training hours and create an environment conducive to rapid improvement.
Residential logistics, facilities and participant experience
All campers will reside in Montverde Academy dormitories for the duration of the July program, using the school’s sports and training facilities as their primary training venues. The residential model includes daily meals and snacks provided on campus, ensuring players remain fueled and focused throughout the week.
Beyond pitch time, the schedule will incorporate classroom briefings, film sessions, and fitness components tailored by the collegiate coaching staff. Organizers stress that the immersive nature of the SIMA Summer Camp allows coaches to evaluate technical habits and decision-making over multiple days, rather than in single-day clinics.
Registration, capacity and cost details
Enrollment for the SIMA Summer Camp is limited to 50 participants and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The organizers have set a $5 registration fee for the all-inclusive four-day residential experience, a price point intended to lower the economic threshold for participation.
Prospective campers and guardians seeking more information are advised to contact the program by email at [email protected] or by phone at 407-929-2701. Given the restricted capacity, officials encourage early registration to secure a place in the July session.
Montverde Academy’s competitive pedigree and program context
Montverde Academy has cultivated a reputation as one of the United States’ notable development environments for talented youth players, supported by a coaching philosophy that blends international influences with American collegiate pathways. The school’s high school team success and its affiliation with the Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy provide institutional credibility to the SIMA Summer Camp offering.
Frank Rijkaard’s role as an official ambassador for the Soccer Institute further signals the program’s international connections and standards. Organizers say that the combination of proven program success, a high-level coaching roster, and professional guest participation creates a valuable development opportunity for mid-teen players.
What players can expect on and off the field
On the field, campers should expect technical training, small-sided games, tactical instruction, finishing practice, and position-specific coaching led by Division I staff and former professionals. Sessions will be structured to challenge individual technique while promoting team-oriented patterns and decision-making under pressure.
Off the field, the residential structure creates a short-term academy environment where habits such as recovery, nutrition, and study of the game are reinforced. Film sessions and coach-led evaluations will give players clear takeaways and individualized feedback they can use when returning to club or school programs.
The SIMA Summer Camp represents a concentrated opportunity for motivated players to experience collegiate-level coaching and professional insight within a short, affordable residential program at a nationally recognized academy.
