Bethel Hosts Coach JJ's Girls Residential Soccer Camp

McKENZIE/HUNTINGDON (July 11-13) — Bethel University hosted the annual Coach JJ's Girls Residential Soccer Camp Saturday through Monday. Malang Jarju, head coach of the Bethel men's soccer team, runs the camp with his fellow Wildcat coaches and players.

Jarju has been on the Bethel staff since 2008 and was named head coach in 2016. This is the fifth or sixth year of the camp, according to the coach.

Coach Jarju told The Banner, "This is something I wanted to do to get the local players in, make sure we give the opportunity to the girls soccer teams to get something like a preseason, to get them going before their season starts. So my goal is to prepare them, get them ready for high school, but also to develop them as players. It could be beneficial to Bethel, where some of them could be recruited to the women's soccer team. It's good for recruiting purposes, and it's also good to give something back to the community. My goal is to get more teams next year."

Five high school teams participated this year: McKenzie, Huntingdon, Dyer County, Henry County and Mayfield (Ky.).

The teams, split into multiple squads, competed in scrimmages during the days, ending with a tournament on Monday afternoon.

Jarju thanked McKenzie and Huntingdon high schools for the use of their fields during the camp.

In the evenings, the campers (many of whom stayed in Bethel's dorms during the camp) participated in fun team-building activities, including a talent night.