JT Keith
Heat and high turnout define the week
For Artesia boys’ soccer coach Phillip Jowers, the only thing hotter than last week’s camp was the weather, with temperatures topping 100 degrees from July 7–10.
“It is one of those things where you don’t notice the heat,” Jowers said. “I am wearing a long shirt; we have the sprinklers out there, the shade, and the popsicles. We try to get everything done in the mornings before it gets terribly hot.”
With around 175 participants, kids rotated through drills and cooled off in the sprinklers between stations. Jowers said the turnout was among the best in recent years.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “It takes a lot of work with a lot of moving parts to get it all done.”
Little kids’ camp and leadership help
Jowers credited Coach Billie Delgado with the heavy lifting for the younger groups during the morning and afternoon sessions.
For the development camp — geared toward 6th through 8th graders — high school coaches and leadership players stepped in.
“The development camp is for the 6th through 8th grades,” Jowers said. “It is a lot of fun because you do get to get eyes on those kids because we don’t get to see those kids other than city league. Getting to see them out here and teach them some of the more tactical stuff.”
Scheduling and soccer’s growth boost numbers
Jowers said one reason for the large turnout is that the camp doesn’t conflict with other sports or activities. He works to schedule it so kids don’t have to choose between soccer and anything else.
Another factor, he said, is the sport’s growth — especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the United States.
A smooth camp and a growing legacy
“I thought this camp was one of the smoothest camps we have had,” Jowers said. “Obviously, you can always improve, but I have not had to reflect. Our motto is ‘Leave a legacy’. The part I love about our camp is that former players come back and jump in to help run the camp.”
Jowers said the camp continues to feel more like a community and a family, with former students returning and leaving their mark.