Eastside FC Hosts International Soccer Academy Camp, Bringing Top European Coaches to Preston
- Jay Peters
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Eastside FC, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier youth soccer clubs, recently held a groundbreaking International Soccer Academy Camp — an event unlike any other in the region. Over four days, the club welcomed elite youth academy coaches from some of Europe’s most storied professional clubs, offering players a rare opportunity to train under the guidance of top-tier international experts.
Coaches from seven prestigious European clubs led the camp:
Gilles Vandermeulen, Club Brugge (Belgium)
Mohammed Ali and Stephen Opoka, West Ham United (England)
Stéphane Gallien, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Sjoerd Bos, Feyenoord Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Max Ruhner, RB Leipzig (Germany)
Tiago Rodrigues, Sporting CP (Portugal)
The camp was open to Eastside FC teams as well as individual players from both inside and outside the club. Participants experienced a wide variety of coaching methodologies, training techniques, and football philosophies that reflect the diversity and depth of the global game.
“This camp was a rare and incredibly valuable experience for our players,” said Tom Bialek, Director of Soccer at Eastside FC. “Bringing in coaches from top academies across Europe allows our athletes to see the game through many different lenses. It expands their understanding, challenges their comfort zones, and helps them grow not just as players, but as students of the game. Opportunities like this don’t come around often — and we’re proud to make it happen here at Eastside FC.”
Tim Reynolds, Eastside FC’s Technical Director, added: “Our goal is to create the most enriching developmental environment possible. Exposing players to the styles and standards of elite European clubs elevates everything — the intensity, the awareness, the professionalism. You could feel the energy shift across the fields. Camps like this give our players an edge, and they inspire everyone — players and coaches alike — to keep raising the bar.”
The International Soccer Academy Camp is just one of many ways Eastside FC is continuing to push the boundaries of player development, emphasizing technical growth, tactical awareness, and a global perspective on the game.
Stay tuned for more world-class opportunities from Eastside FC as we continue to invest in the future of youth soccer in the Pacific Northwest.
