By Luke Williamsson
Our annual Peaches Vikings Camp in Davenport, Florida, recently concluded with great success, continuing our commitment to developing young talent and fostering international friendships within the floorball community. This year’s camp was particularly noteworthy, featuring our own Florida Vikings player, Pepa Juha, and attracting a diverse group of young athletes aged 7 to 19. The camp provided an excellent opportunity for skill development and cultural exchange, bringing together participants from both Europe and the United States.
We welcomed players from Czechia, Latvia, and Sweden, as well as from some parts of the U.S. The participation of these international athletes added significant value to the experience of our local players, aligning well with our mission to grow talent while learning from the diverse skills and perspectives that European players bring. The strong turnout from the local community which we are proud of also reinforced our ongoing efforts to promote floorball at the grassroots level in Florida.
This year we were also very proud and excited that we formed a new partnership with Universal Studios, marking a significant, if not the biggest, collaboration between a U.S. floorball club and a major brand. This partnership enhanced the camp experience and represented a substantial step forward in increasing the visibility of floorball in the United States. The camp ran daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, with a structured program that included technical skills training and competitive play. These sessions were designed not only to build individual skills but also to foster teamwork, develop leadership abilities, and encourage a deep appreciation for the sport.
A highlight of the camp was a visit to Universal Studios, allowing campers to relax and enjoy the park's attractions. This outing was more than a break from training; it offered an opportunity for campers to build friendships and create lasting memories.
Additionally, once again this year's camp caught the attention of a national TV channel ABC, which featured a segment on floorball and our Florida Vikings club. This exposure was a meaningful achievement, helping to raise awareness of the sport and our efforts to promote it across the country.
The summer also saw our Jr Vikings team travel to Prague, joined by myself, Luke Williamson, along with other players. This trip was not solely about competition but also about providing our young athletes with an opportunity to experience a different culture and gain international experience. Some players met up with me in New York before we traveled to Prague, where we participated in a camp and tournament.
Training and competing alongside European athletes allowed our players to test their skills against some of the top young talents in the Czech Republic. In a memorable turn, I was a captain and other Vikings players ended up on the same team for the camp’s final tournament, which we won.
However, our time in Prague was extended unexpectedly due to an international IT outage, causing us to be stranded for three days. Despite the inconvenience, this situation provided additional time for team bonding, reflection and seeing beautiful Prague (and of course visit some floorball stores).
The Vikings are already planning for next year's camp in July 2025 and as usual aiming for another milestone and welcoming new campers to our beautiful sunshine state playing floorball and enjoying everything Florida has to offer.
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