South Carolina Gamecocks

2014 Women's Soccer Camps

(Click on camp name for details)

Day Camps

Residential Camp and Team Camp

Identification & Elite Skills Camp

Team Camp

Teams are welcome at all camp sessions. Our residential camps have attracted both high school and club teams from around the country. This camp experience offers an environment that allows the development of both the individual player and team dynamics. Our games approach to the camp sessions offers an ideal team camp environment. Not only will players be challenged technically, but an emphasis on group tactics and decision-making will challenge teams to work together in different game-related situations. While at camp, teams have the option to train together or teams can be split up and players can train in their age- and skill-appropriate groups. In the evening sessions, teams will come together and compete in the nightly camp matches.

For coaches that are interested in attending camp with their team, getting more details on team discounts, and information on team registration, please contact Libby Bassett at ebassett@mailbox.sc.edu or (803) 777-1940.

All team members must register together. Go to the CAMP FORMS section to download the team registration form.

Please contact Libby Bassett at ebassett@mailbox.sc.edu or (803) 777-1940 for information on team registration and team discounts.

Back to Top

Camp Testimonials

"The whole camp process from start to finish was very well organized.

"My daughter's overall skill set improved greatly and she can hardly wait till the Fall season to bring what she learned to the field.

"The accommodations, facilities and the overall experience for our players was exceptional."

Jim Joye
Lexington Area Parent

"The USC staff and their players are very accommodating and take a sincere interest and liking to the campers.

"The girls work hard, improve their skills and most of all have fun while training.

"I highly recommend this camp for all girls who love the game of soccer and are looking to take their game to the next level."

Andrew Hammer

Shelley, Jaime, Mat and Staff,

I would like to personally thank you for the opportunity my team had at your camp last summer. The instruction that they received was outstanding. Your staff did an amazing job of pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each player, yet providing them with a blueprint to raise their game to the next level.

And what can I say about your facilities, they were second to none. Your fields, housing and dining hall gave each camper the best opportunity to concentrate on the game of soccer.

I also give a lot of credit to your current USC players. Not only were your players knowledgeable and friendly, but they also served as great role models for my players both on and off the field.

And finally, I thought level of compitition at your camp was very impressive. You had players from all over the US, and they all had the same desire - to excel at the game of soccer.

I would recommend your camp to any player or team, who is looking for a "true" soccer experience.

Thanks again,

Curtis Player
Heathwood Hall Girl's Soccer Coach
Asst. Athletics Director

Back to Top

Camp Philosophy & Directors

Philosophy

The goal of the South Carolina Soccer School is to provide a positive learning environment for all participants. A competitive but enjoyable atmosphere will be encouraged. A "games" approach to teaching individual technique will incorporate small group tactics to further develop each player. Coach Smith and her staff have taught these fundamentals in New England and the Southeast over the past 20 years.

Camp Directors

Director, Shelley Smith: If there was ever any question about the program Shelley Smith has built, it was put away at the end of the 2011 season when Smith's South Carolina squad won its second piece of conference hardware in the past three years and advanced to its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Smith earned both NSCAA South Region and SEC Coach of the Year honors in 2011 for the second time in three years after solidifying South Carolina as an elite conference contender and nationally acclaimed program. The Gamecocks won the 2011 SEC regular season and eastern division titles with a 9-2-0 record and moved to the NCAA Second Round for the third consecutive year - one of only two SEC programs to do so in that span. The squad swept the SEC postseason awards with Kayla Grimsley winning her second consecutive SEC Offensive Player of the Year award and freshman Sabrina D'Angelo being named SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Goalkeeper of the Year - in the process becoming the first player in conference history to earn two player of the year honors in the same season. Grimsley also was named a second team All-American by the NSCAA and Soccer America, while D'Angelo was named a first team All-Freshman selection. Many of her players took their first experience with Gamecock soccer by attending the Carolina Soccer School, a series of winter and summer camps designed to provide a competitive yet positive learning environment for both field players and goalkeepers. Whether you are just beginning or looking to sharpen your skills for the collegiate level, there is a camp suited for you. When you leave camp, you will understand why players enjoy being a Gamecock. This is Carolina Soccer... come be a part of history!

Co-Director, Jamie Smith: Jamie Smith just finished his 10th year as associate head coach and 12th season overall with the University of South Carolina women's soccer program in 2012. In his first two years at USC, Smith was an assistant coach for the gamecocks before being promoted to associate head coach in April 2003. Smith has been instrumental in developing South Carolina into the top defensive unit in the SEC and as one of the top units in the nation. In working with the backs, Smith has turned the program into a team that has been ranked in the top two in the SEC every season since 2007. The squad led the conference in every major defensive category in 2009. The 2010 season continued the defensive stronghold with a streak of 11 consecutive games in limiting opponents to four shots on goal or less, and finished the regular season as the SEC's leader in every major defensive category including goals against average, shutouts, shots allowed and points allowed. The Gamecock defense was once again the top in the league in 2011 with a goals against average that was 0.2 points lower than the next team, held seven of 11SEC opponents to four shots on goal or less and posted nine shutouts in addition to leading the conference in nearly every defensive category including goals allowed and points allowed. He has developed the top defensive players in South Carolina history, most notably Blakely Mattern who ended her career as a two-time All-American (2007 Freshman All-American, 2009 First Team All-American). Under Smith's guidance, Mattern became a four-time All-SEC player, the 2007 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2009 consensus first team All-American. He has also developed 2007 Freshman All-American and 2010 Top Drawer Soccer All-American Brittiny Rhoades, all-region selections Melinda Carter and Ellen Fahey, and All-SEC selections Sarah Lentz and Alison Jarrow.

Assistant Women's Coach, Libby Bassett: In May of 2012, the University of South Carolina women's soccer coach Shelley Smith added Libby Bassett as an assistant coach to her staff. Bassett joins the Gamecocks after one year at Dartmouth College and will train the goalkeepers.Bassett comes to Columbia after stops at Dartmouth, California, Saint Mary's and her alma mater, San Diego. Prior to joining Dartmouth in 2011, Bassett spent two seasons as the goalkeeper coach at California in addition to working as site director and coach for the Seattle Sounders FC. She helped lead the Golden Bears to NCAA Tournament appearances in both of her seasons in Berkeley while serving as recruiting coordinator and camp director. During her time at Cal, Bassett played professionally in the Icelandic Premier League for Afturelding from May 2010 through July 2010 alongside former Gamecocks Ashley Kirk and Samantha Diaz-Matosas. From October 2010 through January 2011, she was also a goalkeeping coach and evaluator for US Soccer, planning sessions and training the top youth goalkeepers for the US Soccer market training programs. She also worked on the 2009 Region IV ODP camp staff in Moscow, Idaho, and Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to California, Bassett worked at Saint Mary's in 2008 where she served as the primary goalkeeper coach and planned and conducted all goalkeeping trainings. In her year with the Gaels, she garnered experience assisting in planning and implementing of training sessions, recruiting top athletes, breaking down and analyzing game film in addition to other soccer operations.

Our enthusiastic Camp Staff is comprised of nationally licensed coaches with college and/or top high school/club experience. They will be assisted by some of the best collegiate players in the Southeast.

Back to Top

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for camp?
Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by grade, age, gender and number of campers.

How will I know a spot has been reserved for me?
A confirmation email will be sent as soon as your registration is processed. All necessary details and camp information (what to bring, registration information, directions, transportation services, medical forms, etc.) will be emailed to you.

Can parents or coaches come to watch sessions?
Yes, all sessions are open and we encourage parents and coaches to visit. Copies of the curriculum are always available.

How do I get to camp? Is there an airport shuttle?
The Carolina Soccer School is located on the U.S.C. campus in Columbia, SC. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located 15 minutes from campus. Shuttle service can be purchased through the soccer school for $10. If you choose to fly into Charlotte Douglas, there is a Charlotte to Columbia shuttle. Please visit www.ColumbiaCharlotteShuttle.com for more details.

Will there be other college coaches at camp?
Our enthusiastic Camp Staff is comprised of nationally licensed coaches representing Colleges, Clubs, and High Schools from around the country. Coaches from the following colleges and universities have been part of our staff in recent years: Francis Marion University, College of William & Mary, Georgia College, Newberry College, High Point University, Winthrop University, Coastal Carolina University, UCLA, University of South Carolina Upstate, Samford University, Lander University and others. They will be assisted by some of the best collegiate players in the country.

Are commuters welcome at the overnight camps?
Commuters are welcome at all overnight camps. Commuters will receive a $75 discount.

Are teams welcome and is there a team discount?
For more information on team camps, please CLICK HERE

Are camp refunds available?
Camp refunds are available up to your $50 or $100 *nonrefundable deposit. We do allow you to transfer your deposit to one of our other camps in the same or following year. *If a camper becomes injured and is unable to participate, we are able to refund the deposit but we must first receive documentation from a doctor. Please call (803) 777-1940 for more information.

Back to Top

Camp Forms

Forms

• 2012 Camp Brochure
• Medical History
• Medical Waiver
• Team Registration
• Driving Directions

Camp Letters - UPDATED FOR 2012!

• Half/Full Day Camp Session I
• Half/Full Day Camp Session II
• Developmental Skills Camp Session I
• Developmental Skills Camp Session II
• Developmental Skills GK Academy Session I
• Developmental Skills GK Academy Session II
• Identification & Advanced Skills Camp Session I
• Identification & Advanced Skills Camp Session II
• Identification & Advanced Skills GK Academy Session I
• Identification & Advanced Skills GK Academy Session II

Back to Top