Soccer is an international game.

Some Mexico kids last week were reminded of the game’s international presence during a youth soccer camp run by Challenger Sports, a company based out of eastern Kansas that holds soccer camps all over the United States and Canada, at Fairgrounds Park.

The program brought to the area by the Mexico Parks and Recreation department involves coaches from the United Kingdom taking time every year to teach kids, ranging in all ages, the game of soccer. Two of those coaches were in the Brick City all last week, including English native Gabrielle Oakes, who said Challenger operates in several regions including her typical one of Texas. Oakes said she came to Mexico in what is her third year with the program to make sure there were enough coaches for the kids in this area.

“Our goals are always, No. 1, for the kids to have fun,” Oakes said. “It’s a summer camp at the end of the day so we want the kids to interact with other kids, we want them to socialize, we want them to have fun but also develop their soccer skills. We show them sportsmanship, respect and fun through soccer.”

Oakes said the Mexico session where she was instructing had kids from ages 6-12, but Challenger accepts kids from a range of 2-16. It depends on the region if there are sessions for younger kids — what they call TinyTykes for ages 2-3 and 4-5.

At the Mexico session, Oakes said she noticed the love for soccer the kids had so the coaches just aim to build on to that with all of the activities they do. She said the game’s aspects are split among the days like Monday is dribbling, Tuesday is passing, Wednesday is shooting, Thursday is attacking and defending. Friday gives kids more agency for what they want to do, like they played kickball on the final day of camp.

“Friday is just we get all of that together and put it in certain games,” Oakes said. “Friday is a bit of a fun day for what they want to do but also show us what you’ve learned throughout the week.”

The camp is given an international feel as well, Oakes said, as they have an activity they call the World Cup following mornings of drills and then snack time. Mexico’s campers were split into teams representing Argentina and Turkey.

“We give them things throughout the week to do,” Oakes said. “For example, Tuesday might be dressing in the colors of your country. We do flag Friday. They can make it out of anything they want so they can bake it, they can be the most creative and it just gives them something to do when they get home. It gives them a little competition and helps them know about the country.”

Parks and Recreation director Chad Shoemaker said Challenger has run a summer youth soccer camp in Mexico for at least 20 years and is a company that is headed by people who live outside their native country.

“Soccer is different over there than it is here,” Shoemaker said. “They train to a different skillset than what you’re going to get from US coaches”

Shoemaker said the department’s efforts to help grow soccer in the area is ultimately helpful to high school teams and the YMCA as it makes sure there are enough interested players out there. He said the coaches they send over do a good job and the relationship has remained strong as it gives kids the opportunity to meet people from different countries on top of improving their soccer skills.

Oakes said she would like to see more kids in the future as she isn’t completely sure of the reason but is certain she wants to continue doing it.

“I absolutely love it every single year,” Oakes said. “It would be nice to have a lot more kids. The little camps are nice, but I feel like the big camps are a lot better for the coaches and the children because you get to meet a lot of people and you obviously have a lot of fun with people from the area.”