WHARTON ATTENDS U-14 NATIONAL
CAMP; RECEIVES CALL UP TO PLAY
vs. MEXICO IN JANUARY
Todd Wharton,
a member of the Richmond
Strikers U-15 Elite team,
recently attended the U-14
National team camp in Florida.
Todd has been at the club since
he was five years old although
he has been familiar with
Striker Park since he could
walk! Todd always attended the
practices of his older brother,
Bryan (U-18 Academy), and worked
on his touch and juggling
skills. All of Todd’s hard work
over the years is starting to
pay off with this latest
selection to attend the U-14
national team camp. Before
sitting down with Todd, I caught
up with Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi, Todd’s
coach for the U-15 Elite team.
Kwaku said, “I have never
coached a kid that is as
competitive and has the passion
for the game like Todd. He is
very mature, has great soccer
IQ, a good work ethic, fantastic
attitude and is a very good
leader. I made him my captain
for that very reason. Todd
Wharton is a pleasure to coach
because he is receptive to
criticism and is always willing
to learn.”
On his return to Richmond from
the U-14 National team camp, I
sat down with Todd to ask him a
few questions and find out more
about his trip to Florida.
How did you hear the news that
you were being invited to the
U-14 National team camp?
I attended the U-14 National
Identification camp in August,
held in Massachusetts. I was
there with 125 players from
across the country. I felt like
I competed well and only hoped I
would have a chance to play on
the National team sometime this
year. On October 1st
I received an email from the
U.S. National team letting me
know I had been selected to play
with the U-14 National team in
Florida over Thanksgiving
weekend. There were 36 players
selected to play on two teams.
Where was the camp held?
This camp was held in Lake Buena
Vista, FL at Disney’s Wide World
of Sports complex. The team
stayed in a nice hotel in
Orlando.
What were the dates that you
were there?
I was flown out of Richmond on
Wednesday morning, November 21st
and flew home on Monday evening,
November 26th.
What did it feel like when you
knew you had been called up?
It
was really awesome. I was so
excited about the opportunity.
What was the week like? Any
particular favorite parts of the
week?
The week was fun, but a lot of
hard work. I flew from Richmond
to Orlando and arrived the first
day in time to train a little
that afternoon. We trained
twice on Thanksgiving and then
broke into our teams to
scrimmage on Friday. The teams
were divided based on Regions.
Then we played games on Saturday
and Sunday before we played each
other the final day. I
loved wearing all the official
NIKE gear. Other than playing,
my favorite part of the week was
wearing an actual US National
Team uniform. It was so
awesome. And when we went out
at night, they provided us with
actual National Team jackets to
wear. I was just so proud to be
wearing it, again it was so
amazing.
How was the coaching during the
week?
The coaches were great. The
head coach, Manny Shellscheidt,
was overseeing the entire group
– both teams. Each team had two
of his assistant coaches for the
entire week. The training
sessions were tough, but really
good. And all the players were
very good so it really made you
work hard. The coaches were
easy to talk to and held
meetings after each training
session or game to go over how
we did, what we needed to work
on, what they liked, etc.
What was the biggest thing you
learned?
There
are so many great players out
there and you cannot just think
you have done all you can. It
always gets tougher so you have
to keep working hard, training
hard, and pushing your game to
the next level. In doing so, it
has to be fun and you have to
enjoy it.
How did you think you performed?
I
felt I had a strong week, and
got the opportunity to show my
versatility as a player. I
played right wing, center mid,
and right back. I got good
feedback from my coaches and was
recognized by the head coach as
one of eight field players that
week that stood out among all
the players.
How was it off the field?
It
was casual and fun. We had a
lot of free time to hang out and
get to know each other. My
roommate was from California so
that was cool. I hung out a lot
with the players from Maryland.
There was a pool that we also
did some training in so that was
fun. We had curfews and wake up
calls, but the whole atmosphere
was very fun and casual.
What are your goals for the next
few years?
I
just want to continue training
and get better as a player. I
really do have a passion for the
game and want to enjoy it
always. I want to continue to
be able to play at the National
level and travel
internationally.
Who has been the biggest
influence on your soccer career
so far?
My dad has been the biggest
influence on me. He would work
out with me during Bryan’s
practices and taught me about
touch and quickness. He also
challenged me to juggle. I can
juggle the ball over 1000 times,
but he can juggle over 10,000
times!! He pushes and
encourages me to be the best I
can.
I would also like to take the
opportunity to thank the Striker
coaches who have played such an
important part in my development
so far:
· Spencer
Warren – my first travel
coach
· Mauricio
Pava – who is so much fun and
taught me a lot
· Emilio
– who constantly encouraged
me and made me feel like a
superstar
· Trevor
Spencer – who let me play on
his Super Y team when I was two
years too young! His private
training sessions are GREAT!!
· Kwaku
Adu-Gyamfi – one of the best
coaches I have ever had the
opportunity to play for
· Carlos
Martinoli – just for being
Carlos!
So, I heard you got some
feedback already?
Yes, I found out this weekend
that I have been selected to go
to Mexico in January and play
with the U-14 National Team!
They will fly me to Los Angeles
where we will train for a couple
of days and then we will fly as
a team to Mexico to play some
international club teams from
that country. Needless to say,
I am very excited!
Due to his performances at the
camp, it is fantastic that Todd
has been selected to play for
the U-14 National team in
Mexico. The opportunity of
traveling and playing outside of
the US will be an invaluable
experience for Todd as he grows
in his soccer career. It is a
very exciting time for Todd and
his family, as well as everyone
here at the club. We are all so
proud of Todd and his recent
achievements and look forward to
supporting and helping him reach
his goals in the future.
We wish Todd all the best when
he travels to Mexico in January
and can’t wait to hear all about
