With soccer being the most popular sport in the Netherlands, being personally invited to a training camp there is a huge accomplishment. Avery Letterman, a freshman soccer player, made this her reality when one of the coaches from the camp saw her play and decided to invite her. She has been playing soccer since she was 3 and can do tricks like dribbling the ball over 1,000 times. Here, Avery shares her reflections on the experience.

Q: How long have you been playing soccer?

A: For about 11 years now.

Q: What part of the camp did you enjoy the most?

A: I enjoyed meeting new people and I enjoyed the drills that we did at the camp.

Q: What were the people like at the camp?

A: They were so welcoming, they were so nice, and they even gave me food, so that was a bonus.

Q: What are the main things that you learned from the camp?

A: I learned that don’t take anything for granted and work hard, and most importantly, just take risks.

Q: What do you plan on pursuing with soccer?

A: I would love to go pro, but if not, I would just love to do anything to do with the sport in general.

Q: What was the weather like in the Netherlands?

A: It was so cold, but it was like a nice cold, so it didn’t affect my playing.

Q: How did you get chosen to be in the camp?

A: I went to Peer Soccer, it was a five-day camp. One of the coaches at Peer Soccer had scouts come in from  Finland and the Netherlands to come and watch us and they chose me at the last day.

Q: How were you involved in soccer? What teams do you play for?

A: I play for HTXGA and I got involved. My parents put me in and I’ve loved it ever since.

Q: Did anyone else from your team get chosen to attend the camp?

A: One other girl from the club, HTXGA, a year older than me, got chosen as well. 

Q: What position do you play mainly?

A: I mainly play striker but I can also play the 6 or even 10.

Q: What was special about playing in the Netherlands, why did they choose that place? 

A: What was special is their style of play is so much different than over in the States and I really enjoyed how technical they were.

Q: Are you going to play for Clements? 

A: Yes I am.

Q: What was the farthest you traveled for soccer before going to the Netherlands?

A: The farthest I’ve traveled was probably to California.

Q: How long was the whole entirety of your trip? 

A: It was 8 days.

Q: What did you do at the Netherlands other than soccer? 

A: Me and my family, or me and my dad, we visited Amsterdam and we just explored the city and it was fun.