About FC Sarum
Steve Griggs is in his 30th year as Director of the FC Sarum Soccer Camp. From 1978 - 1995 he was the Head coach of men's soccer at Yale University. He remains the winningest coach in the 110-year history of Yale soccer with a record of 143-110-21. His teams won the Ivy League Title in 1986, '89, and '91. In 1991, Yale reached the NCAA Division I quarterfinals and finished in the top 10 nationally. Griggs was selected to the All-New England Team during his playing days at Trinity College. He takes great pride in having played a role in the development of the world's most popular sport in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. The Griggs family has had a cabin on Mt. Riga in the hills above Salisbury since 1902 and continues its involvement in the area each summer. His wife Trish and two of their children are co-directors. Trish is the camp administrator. Colin and Jessie both coach at camp each summer. Colin is the Head Coach of the Black Rock FC girls' residential program based at The High Mowing School in New Hampshire. He is also the Athletic Director there and Head Coach of the Black Rock FC girls Residential Academy. Jessie is the Head Coach of women's soccer at D-II Slippery Rock University in western PA. In the fall of 2019 her team won the championship of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and advanced to the second round of NCAA play.
History
The camp was founded in 1991 by Steve Griggs and Salisbury School's much beloved coach at the time, Joe Cleary.
Through the summer of 1998 it was held at the Salisbury School until major construction and other changes resulted
in the move to Indian Mountain School. In the early years there were 30 or 40 campers per week and most were
beginners. Now, 30 years later, it is common for more than 100 campers to attend each week and the level of
play has risen every year with many campers returning year in and year out.
Through the summer of 1998 it was held at the Salisbury School until major construction and other changes resulted
in the move to Indian Mountain School. In the early years there were 30 or 40 campers per week and most were
beginners. Now, 30 years later, it is common for more than 100 campers to attend each week and the level of
play has risen every year with many campers returning year in and year out.
Philosophy
The FC Sarum Soccer Camp is designed to provide in-depth instruction for young soccer players from the ages
of 5 to 16. Each camper has the advantage of special attention--individually, as well as in group situations--
according to his or her needs and skill level. Emphasis for the younger players is on the development of
a wide variety of ball skills, basic rules interpretation, drills and small group competition. The focus for the older, more
experienced players is on pressure drills, position play and tactical training. At the end of each morning session, there
are round-robin league games in the beginning, intermediate and advanced groups.
Campers, through the guidance and expertise of the coaching staff, will be challenged to work toward
perfecting skills, and inspired to go beyond their existing capabilities. However, the most important objective is
to help each camper discover a sense of personal achievement, while experiencing the joy and excitement
of playing the great and universal game of soccer.
of 5 to 16. Each camper has the advantage of special attention--individually, as well as in group situations--
according to his or her needs and skill level. Emphasis for the younger players is on the development of
a wide variety of ball skills, basic rules interpretation, drills and small group competition. The focus for the older, more
experienced players is on pressure drills, position play and tactical training. At the end of each morning session, there
are round-robin league games in the beginning, intermediate and advanced groups.
Campers, through the guidance and expertise of the coaching staff, will be challenged to work toward
perfecting skills, and inspired to go beyond their existing capabilities. However, the most important objective is
to help each camper discover a sense of personal achievement, while experiencing the joy and excitement
of playing the great and universal game of soccer.