RANKIN INLET - A new outdoor soccer field in Rankin Inlet played host to a highly successful skills camp this past week.

The camp was a joint venture of the Kivalliq Outreach Program, Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre and hamlet recreation department.

Training for youth aged five to 15 was provided by Soccer Canada's Percy Hoff.

Rankin recreation co-ordinator David Clark said he wanted something to get the new field off on the right foot.

He said youth co-ordinator Lori Tagoona came up with the idea for the skills camp about three months ago and the two worked together to make it a reality.

"The camp went really well, and we were more than pleased to have about 150 kids register to take part in it," said Clark.

"They ran three sessions each morning for the younger kids and then held two more in the afternoon for the older groups.

"They broke them into age groups of five and six, seven and eight, nine and 10, 11 and 12 and 13 to 15 and that approach worked very well."

Soccer has become an extremely popular sport in Rankin, trailing only hockey in terms of participation.

Clark said that was the main reason behind the hamlet's decision to build the outdoor field.

He said there was no sense putting money into something the kids wouldn't make use of.

"It only makes sense to put the money into something you can almost guarantee will succeed.

"So, having a soccer field outside for the kids to use during the summer is something we hope will work out for everybody."

Financing for the field was provided by the hamlet, with M&T Enterprises lending a hand with its heavy equipment.

Clark said the hamlet's heavy-equipment operators also deserve thanks for the time they spent on the project.

He said it was exciting to see so many kids participate in the first event to be held at the field.

"Hopefully, with so many young kids getting into soccer, it's really going to take off and become even more popular in our community.

"We also had about 30 kids from across the region able to attend the skills camp.

"We have to thank Calm Air for that, because the airline gave us a good deal on fares to make it possible.

"We hope to have a structured schedule and more programs for next summer, but, for now, it's open to any kids who want to go down and get their own game going."

Hoff, originally from South Africa, now calls Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, home and has been conducting skills clinics for Soccer Canada for a number of years.

He said he never would have dreamed one day he'd be teaching soccer skills to kids in the Canadian Arctic.

"The director of player development for Soccer Canada, Ray Clark, contacted me about the Rankin camp and I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to come here," said Hoff.

"I also work with the NWT's Canada Summer Games team, so I've been gaining a good bit of experience in the North.

"It's been just tremendous to work with the kids in Rankin because they have such a passion for the game.

"There's so many good natural athletes here, that the future of soccer could be quite bright in Rankin if they continue to develop their skills."

Hoff was impressed with the skill levels of many of the older players he instructed in Rankin.

He said he worked on a number of skills with the youth during the week, changing his approach with each different age group.

"We do a lot of fun things with the little ones, like learning to run and keeping the ball close to them, and work more on playing against an opponent with the older kids.

"The art of being a good coach is keeping a drill going just long enough to keep them interested and then moving on to something else.

"We'll move around quickly - about 10 minutes or so - with the little ones, but stay a little longer on each skill with the older kids.

"The game at the end of a session is the carrot because they know they get it as a reward for working hard."

Hoff said he enjoys working with Northern kids because they really appreciate his efforts.

He said the same can't always be said for the kids everywhere he goes.

"Most of the time the kids appreciate having me when I'm in the North.

"They often take it for granted in some of the bigger centres that they'll have coaches and good facilities, so maybe they don't appreciate it quite so much.

"Northern kids appreciate everything you can give them."