BULLARD — From Spain's stunning 4-0 win over Italy in the finals of Euro 2012 on July 1 to the 2012 London Olympics, which will get under way in late July, there is much excitement presently being generated on soccer pitches across the globe.

Locally, right at 40 youngsters that have been taking part in the Brook Hill Soccer Camp this week have been experiencing their share of soccer thrills as they continue to refine their playing skills under the direction of David Collins, camp director and head soccer coach of both the Brook Hill Guard and Lady Guard soccer clubs.

Collins said he has been conducting summer soccer camps at Brook Hill for eight years now and that his camps get a lot of repeat customers, which is always a good thing.

“For as long as we have been holding these camps we have consistently had anywhere from 40 to 50 kids participate,” Collins said. “We like to say that we have fun with the fundamentals (of soccer) and I think that that is one of things that keeps many kids coming back.

“These kids want to be here and plan to be here every summer; its something that is important to them.”

Collins, who piloted both the Guard and the Lady Guard to TAPPS Division III state championships this past season, said that it is particularly rewarding for him to coach student-athletes at the varsity levels that participated in Brook Hill summer soccer camps through the years.

Campers were segmented into groups in accordance to ages to better facilitate learning.

“With the older ones we can work more on tactical soccer maneuvers because many of these kids play on club or select teams,” Collins said. “With the younger kids we stick to the fundamentals and skill development.”

Campers seemed to be having a good time as they put forth a high degree of effort in going through the various drills, which took place on the brand-new artificial playing surface at Herrington Stadium.

The camp will wrap up on Thursday.

NOTES — Collins, who is also an assistant football coach at Brook Hill, holds degrees from East Texas Baptist University and the University of Tyler...Collins served as assistant men's soccer coach at ETBU from 1996-2003...Collins played collegiate soccer at San Jacinto college and at ETBU, where he helped lead the Tigers to their first conference title in the programs history.