MORE than 45 children from the Okehampton area enjoyed two sun-blessed days of soccer training in Simmons Park last week, under the coaching auspices of Plymouth Argyle's Football in the Community team led by ex-Argyle keeper Geoff Crudgington.
The children were split in roughly equal junior and senior teams, playing and practising under the names of USA, England, Eire and Sweden.
Each player could score points for their team, as well as teams scoring points in the round robin of matches that took place each day.
Although there were individual and team prizes to be won, at the end of the course, there were no winners or losers as the objective was to give all participants an enjoyable time with the benefit of expert coaching.
The course proved particularly successful for 13-year-old Naomi Wilkins, who has been invited for trials with Plymouth Argyle's U15 girls team.
John Pearce, secretary of Okehampton Argyle FC's youth section, said: 'Naomi impressed their coach so well that Argyle had no hesitation in contacting her parents.
'The course was also attended by other Argyle scouts and it is known they will be following up on other players too.'
Mr Pearce said the Argyle team were 'highly impressed' with the high standards shown by all the players.
And the course itself received a big thumbs up from the players and their parents.
Mr Pearce said he hoped the team will visit Okehampton again next year.