Camden County College soccer athlete, Shane Kumar (FNSW), shares his take on his freshman year experiences on the soccer field and in the classroom. Studying a degree in Computer Drafting and Design at college, Shane has had a chance to grow his passion for design in his chosen career pathway.
Starting player in the centre attack position, Shane excels as a part of Camden’s undefeated soccer team.
What can you expect from pre-season?
One of the most pressing questions that all soccer athletes ask is the process of preseason. Shane explains that the process is based on fitness training “…be prepared to be doing a lot of running, you do not encounter ball work until the second week into preseason training…” Shane goes onto explain that towards the end of preseason training, the coach will run trial matches, this is where he will decide on what players fit best into certain positions.
*Please keep in mind, every college coach varies on how they schedule their preseason.
What does a US coach look for in a starting player?
In order to become a starting player, the coach looks for a player that is ‘hungry to play’, a player must exhibit a desire to learn and develop their soccer skills to become the best player possible. Shane advises to be keen to learn and develop as a player and you will have a better chance at becoming a starting player.
What was your first college game like?
Shane details the feeling of his first college game “…I was nervous, didn’t know anyone and I felt a little isolated. After the first game, I got to know everyone in my team and everything just got better and better…” Further explaining how close he is with his soccer team, Shane tells of how the team hold and attend BBQs and head to buffets together. Getting through the first game is the biggest challenge, but from there on out, everything takes a positive turn.
During the competitive soccer season, what can you expect from training?
During the competitive soccer season, the training pushes the limits of one’s mental and physical abilities. A basic training session at Camden County consists of:
- Running laps for 10 minutes
- Short sprints
- Footwork and ball work
- Cooling off run
Shane details the positive result of the training season detailing of the growth in his fitness level. Competition is much greater than that within Australia; therefore, developing your fitness and strength level is paramount in order to maintain competitiveness within the playing environment.
What are the facilities at college like and how do they compare to here in Australia?
Shane explains that the playing fields at Camden County College are mostly turf based “…the fields are amazingly set out…” Athletes have access to gym facilities and regularly have training sessions to ensure that you maintain not only speed but strength and endurance “…facilities at Camden are far better than that of any Australian university…” Athletes receive the best care possible, so as to maintain their playing ability.
What have you learnt so far playing for the Camden soccer team?
Throughout his first year playing college soccer, Shane elaborated on the endless skills that he has developed that have enhanced his playing ability “…I’ve learnt alot with my touches and goal scoring ability, I feel really fit…” Being part of an undefeated soccer team, Shane has been exposed to a number of coaches from competing colleges. Soccer games allow for an opportunity to network with coaching staff from other colleges.
Stay tuned for part two of our chat with Shane as he details his experiences within the classroom and college in general!