Isaac Boehmer’s confidence is sky high right now.
“I think my confidence is definitely a 10 out of 10,” said Boehmer, who spent July in Burnaby and Vancouver for B.C. Soccer’s under-13 provincial development program, phase 2. “It’s hard to put me down.”
Boehmer, 12, a former Pinnacles Football Club member playing for the Thompson Okanagan Football Club, took another step in developing his goalkeeping skills.
The Okanagan Falls resident benefitted from the instruction of Luca Dalla Pace, program coach and goalkeeping development manager for B.C. Soccer.
Throughout the month, Dalla Pace had the goalkeepers complete technical drills such as catching, footwork, diving, high balls and also match play scenarios in 20 to 45 minute sessions. Dalla Pace saw lots of growth in Boehmer.
“He showed he belonged in the second phase,” said Dalla Pace.
The program concluded with a Canadian Soccer Association regional event in Vancouver, July 21-27, in which Team B.C. played four games. Boehmer saw action against Alberta North and South, earning 6-0 and 4-0 wins.
“It wasn’t very hard. Our team was clearly the best team,” said Boehmer, who tries to model his play after German national team player Manuel Neuer. “It was still really fun. I have gained a lot of experience.”
Capping off the camp was Boehmer’s performance getting him selected into the player of distinction game, which featured the best players from all of the teams, including Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Boehmer didn’t allow a goal.
“Over the month he was a very consistent performer. Very good shot stopper,” said Dalla Pace, adding that Boehmer is a good kid, who is liked by his teammates and respected by the coaching staff. “He’s more of a gamer. You put him in a game and he steps up.”
The program is designed with the purpose of player assessment and identification for future national team’s events.
