Recently, after much deliberation, professional soccer player Ross Smith decided to hang up his professional playing boots and devote his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to youth soccer players.
Building on the success of the popular No Tippy Tappy (NTT) summer program presented in Rockwood for the past four years, Smith is now offering a year-round program of training and coaching to help youth soccer players develop their individual skills and performance level.
“While I was a professional soccer player, I couldn’t get enough of improving as a player,” said Smith. “I was always looking for inspiring, competitive and professional training opportunities with other like-minded players.”
Subsequent to his NCCA Division I soccer scholarship with the University of Rhode Island, the Guelph native enjoyed a successful full-time career playing against teams such as Manchester City, Fulham and West Ham United (English Premier League), Boca Juniors (Premiera Division, Argentina), and Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps (North America).
In addition to Smith’s professional experience, he has a background in physical education, extensive youth coaching experience, and a network of top quality coaches from the United States and Britain.
“I was fortunate to meet many innovative soccer minds while I was playing professionally,” said Smith.
“I get a complete buzz when I think about the quality of coaching that NTT will be able to offer our soccer community.”
Officials say the ultimate strength of the NTT Soccer Academy is its vision of providing a professional and challenging soccer environment for players, while fostering an atmosphere of fun, friendship, and team spirit.
The NTT summer camps will branch out from Rockwood to Guelph and Milton. The full force of what is being offered for spring 2013 will be announced in mid-February.
To introduce the year-round NTT Soccer Academy, a fall and winter program is being offered for U-5 to U-13 boys and girls, beginning this month at three locations: the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre in Marden, the University of Guelph, and Rockwood Centennial Public School.
For more details and a complete schedule, visit www.notippytappy.com.
