Calling all Football Players: DAA Gators Offers Free Leadership Camp

The Davidsonville Athletic Association’s (DAA) South River Gators will host its second annual Football Skills & Leadership Combine Camp from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on April 22 at Davidsonville Park.

About 125 kids attended last year's Gator Football Skills and Leadership Combine Camp.

The camp is free to all football fans, ages five to 13.

According to DAA football commissioner John Mandish, the camp is a fun way to learn football skills and leadership traits at the same time.

“There’s more to football than pass, punt and kick,” Mandish said. “Gator Football tries to teach leadership traits that help young men win both on and off the football field.”

At the camp, DAA coaches and South River High School football players will run the boys through a variety of skill stations and drills such as the 40-yard dash; vertical leap; broad jump; the five-ten-five shuttle and obstacle courses.

At the same time, the coaches will teach the kids the meaning of 12 different leadership traits including: character, commitment, competence, courage, determination, honesty, humility, integrity, role model, service, vision and wisdom.

Seahawks (South River High School) coach Lance Clelland will talk to the campers.

Mandish has also lined-up two guest speakers for the day – South River High School head football coach Lance Clelland and Navy Football Military Liaison Andrew Thompson.

“If you teach a kid the meaning of determination and then apply it to a situation on the field and everyday life, you’re showing the importance of incorporating that trait into all aspects of their life,” said Mandish.

The camp is part of DAA Gators Footballs’ Pillars of Leadership curriculum. Each week during regular season, coaches and parents highlight one of the 12 traits at home and practice.

At the end of the season, one player from each team is awarded with a Pillars of Leadership Award as selected by their peers and coaches by secret ballot.

To register for the Football Skills and Leadership Combine Camp visit  www.daagators.org.

The day includes a couple of large group gatherings where guest speakers talk to the kids about leadership.

For additional information about the camp; or to learn about corporate sponsorship opportunities, email John Mandish at football@daagators.org.