Paul Ferguson, one of the owners of DPSoccer is excited about the academy’s new indoor facility in Stoney Creek.

Every time Wendy Kemp’s daughter comes home from soccer practice, it’s always with a smile on her face. That’s all Kemp needs to convince her DPSoccer was the right choice.

The Dribble, Pass and Shoot Academy opened in 2003 to provide top-level coaching and player development programs to local players, schools and organizations and recently opened a new facility on Arvin Avenue in Stoney Creek.

Jordie Kemp, 15 got into soccer when she was in kindergarten, playing for Lincoln, Smithville and Saltlfeet Go-Ahead Soccer. She felt like she needed more of a challenge and went to check out DPS.

After taking part in last year’s fall program, she decided it was exactly what she wanted and played the full outdoor season.

Kemp says her daughter, who aims to earn a university soccer scholarship, appreciated the focus on footwork, technical skills and the mental aspect of the game. She is also given the opportunity to play in showcase tournaments, where university coaches can see her play.

“The coaches are really there for the kids,” said Kemp. “Every time she comes home she is smiling. That’s the key thing.”

DPSoccer also invited scouts from the English Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers Football Club in England to give players the chance to try out for the club’s skills challenge. Jordie is one of six DPS players leaving for England Nov. 18 to compete against players from around the world.

“That’s an opportunity she wouldn’t have had otherwise that the academy gave her,” Kemp says.

DPSoccer owners Paul Ferguson and Bruno Giannotti opened the Arvin Avenue facility last month. It features an indoor field, fitness training room, snack bar and viewing area. The academy includes skills programs, a house league and academy competitive teams. DPSoccer also educates coaches in a 12-week course.

“Most coaches have never played or coached,” Ferguson said. “If we educate coaches, we are getting the right information to young players and will keep them in the game.”

Ferguson, who was born in Glasgow, has played soccer his whole life. He moved to Montreal in 1964 and then to the Hamilton area in 1980. He started the Burlington adult recreation league and then started coaching.

“After three weeks, I realized I knew nothing and so I took lessons,” he said.

He has since coached for Saltlfeet and was the OYSL U16 Boys Coach of the Year in 2001. He also served as technical director for Saltfleet Go-Ahead Soccer.

Ferguson and Giannotti and the rest of their professional coaches are continuously educating themselves about changes to the game, new techniques and when to teach certain skills.

Most of the emphasis for academy players is on skill development. For example, a player may be at the club four times a week – three times for practice and once for a game.

“In the last two years, we’ve had eight to 10 kids go to US and Canadian colleges,” said Ferguson. “We are helping players continue after high school.”

But despite the focus on skill development, DPS aims to take the pressure off players and provide a positive atmosphere.

For example, the house league has no standings, just the opportunity to apply skills and parents are told to watch without coaching from the sidelines. Even academy team players have fun.

Alan Van Haaster, who has his three sons, ages 13, 12 and 8 and six-year-old daughter at the academy, says they love it.

“They’re having a hoot,” he said. “It’s the level of enjoyment they get, along with the level of coaching. They are not focused on the win, they are focused on skills and pulling out the skills from players, at their own pace. They manage to maintain it at a level where it doesn’t become serious and intense.

“They are still kids. They will push themselves hard enough, especially if they enjoy it.”

That’s exactly what Ferguson says the staff has in mind.

“If we teach the proper skills, there is a greater likelihood they will enjoy the game and stay in the game longer,” he said.

“They are surprised at what they can do. If we excite them and turn them onto the game, they will go home and practise.”

For information, visit www.dpscocer.com .