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| Updated: 1/21 9:24 am |
Published: 1/20 6:54 pm |
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Little Rock Futbol Club is hosting its seventh annual showcase at Burns Park, featuring talented players from Central Arkansas and across the region.
But coaches say the opportunity to play before college recruiters is the greatest win of the game.
Sunday, more than 75 teams competed before college coaches.
"Soccer continues to grow, not only in our area, but throughout the country. We have teams that travel all over the region," said Club President Brad Chafin.
The showcase started seven years ago with only 23 teams, but now has 157. The event makes recruiters, like Amy Morrison from Rhodes College, excited to possibly secure her next player.
"It's a great event because its regional. So these are kids that may want to stay in the area and its good for us being in Memphis," said recruiter Amy Morrison.
Coaches say they come with various motivations.
"Different coaches look for different things. Athleticism is a pretty big thing for me. But it depends on what positions we are looking for too," said UALR coach Adrian Blewitt.
Some recruiters come with scholarship money to award. Isaac Brooks is from Union University.
"We are mostly looking at Juniors and Sophomores. Those are the age groups that we are recruiting right now. It's a little bit tricky with some of the NCAA rules. But that is mostly what we are looking at. The Senior class is pretty much wrapped up for us," said Brooks.
One player says the high school junior year is crucial to earning a spot to play at the collegiate level.
"Its probably the most important year and they are just looking at us to recruit us, sometimes I am really nervous," said player Ashley Finney.
