 Argentine
soccer star, Jorge Coch supports EduKick. "Having known Joey
for years, both in coaching and as fathers, I would recommend this program
to any kid interested in learning Spanish and receiving top level soccer
training.
Coch is featured here with friend Diego Maradona. |
|
Cesar Plasencia, Cesar
Plasencia, ex-professional soccer player and current Women's soccer coach at
Consumnes River College in Sacramento, CA, supports EduKick." Bilotta and
Zimmerman are a great team. Parents should know that their children will be
under the care of seasoned and caring professionals. EduKick programs always
have a positive and lasting influence on all participating youth."
Cesar is featured above with EduKick's Joseph Bilotta in the middle and Alex
Basso on the far right during a match in the American Professional Soccer
League (APSL).
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Greg Morancey 12 yr FIFA pro
"I Support EduKick!
As one of the first American youths to be trained and play for Royal
Sporting Charleroi, in Belgian 2nd Division in late 70's and early 80's, I
highly recommend this program. The character and world educational skills
and experiences I received were priceless. The EduKick program offers soccer
players from around the globe a similar opportunity which I had, which
definitely had a great effect on my becoming a professional player. The
EduKick program offers everyone something unique and special." Morancey is
featured here with friends Pele and Kevin Grubb during a commercial shooting
produced by Pizza Hut for The World Cup in the U.S.
|
 UCLA
Psychology Professor & Founder of Quantum Soccer Club,
Dr. Paul Abramson
supports EduKick. "I highly recommend this program. Joey Bilotta is an
excellent teacher. He is a kid-friendly, enthusiastic person with bilingual
skills and extensive experience in youth programs." |
 Dr.
Jorge Santana, Professor of Spanish at the California State
University at Sacramento, supports EduKick. Joey was my assistant when
we conducted the California/Spain Cultural Exchange. He is an
experienced traveler in Spain and an excellent director of programs.
Kids feel comfortable with him and his background in counseling,
teaching and youth programs suits him well for directing this program
abroad."
Email Dr.
Santana |
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EduKick 2007 Testimonials
Jared Gates age: 12 California, USA Madrid Session # 1 (2007)
KSAM9569@aol.com
This was a REMARKABLE experience for my son. I was concerned about
sending him initially because he was fairly young (12 yrs) and is a bit
immature. The idea of him being overseas without parent supervision was
a little scary. However, I couldn’t have asked for a better result!!!! I
didn’t necessarily expect him to come back a significantly better soccer
player, but he did improve on the ball. My hopes for him were to gain
the cultural enrichment of being in another country, developing
friendships with kids from other countries, learning another language
(even at a basic level) and maybe mature a bit too, all while not losing
any time on a ball. My expectations were SURPASSED!! All of the above
happened…. And on a level I didn’t think was possible in 3 short weeks!
My son’s confidence in himself on and off the pitch was enhanced
significantly from his EduKick experience. Playing the “friendlies”
against the local teams was eye opening to him…. He couldn’t get over
the difference in the skill level of the overseas kids. It made him step
up his game. He has been home now for almost 2 months and is still
emailing with friends he made from all over the world!!! He came home
and immediately said “Mom… I wanna go back next Summer!”… He has
recruited his best friend to join him. His soccer I.Q. went up quite a
bit as a result of his EduKick experience and so did his maturity level.
Additionally, he has a strong base in the Spanish language, which will
help tremendously in school this year. Getting into an environment where
he had to be more independent made him grow in so many ways both as a
soccer player and as a young man; and the training kept him “on track”
to come home and get right back to his club team. I really was worried
about sending him…. But now I’m SO GLAD I did!! If someone has a child
who is a “soccer kid”… There is NO WAY that child won’t benefit from a
program like EduKick…. There is so much more to this program than just
soccer. SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER!!!!
Kim Madvin (Mother)
KSAM9569@aol.com
|
Max Weinstein age: 14 NJ, USA Madrid Session # 2 (2007)
Maxwbrad@aol.com
“My son, Max, attended the Madrid program this summer and I would like
to commend both your program and your staff for giving him the
experience of a lifetime. All your staff from the guide at the airport
in New York to the trainers were all professional and looked after the
kids at all times. Max could not stop talking about his time with
edukick when he came back and he is looking forward to next summer with
your program.….”
Doug Weinstein (father)
Maxwbrad@aol.com
|
Amy Perch age: 17 Derbyshire, England Perugia (2007)
keith.perch@and.co.uk
“I’m writing to you from rainy England to thank you very much for all
the hard work you put into edukick. I had the time of my life in Perugia
this year, making friends for life, and playing the game I live for. The
coaching and organization were first class and I have memories that will
stay with me forever. “
Amy Perch
keith.perch@and.co.uk
|
Max Grascher Age: 13 Ct, USA Madrid Session # 2 (2007)
hannesg@optonline.net
“When Max returned from camp he said "I wish I could have stayed for
another month"… and it was his first sleep-away camp.” He is the only
freshman at his highschool to make the varsity team. The hotel
environment was fun and he made some good friends"
Hannes Grascher (Father)
hannesg@optonline.net
|
Ashley Siles Age: 17 Melbourne, Australia Madrid Elite #1 & # 2 (2007)
"The experience was terrific both as a cultural event and in skills
improvement. I would recommend it to anyone. In fact I have enrolled
again for next year".
Ashley Siles"As a parent my main wish is for my son to achieve his
hopes and dreams and the camp seems to have further inspired his soccer
aspirations. Also he was looked after professionally. I felt he was in
safe hands. Thank you Edukick"
Charles Siles (Father)
c.siles1@bigpond.com
|
Matthew Lowman Age: 18 Griffith, Australia Perugia (2007)
“Excellent way to make new friends”
Matthew Lowman
lamplowman@yahoo.com.au
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Nejc Ribic Age: 17 Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia Bolton Summer Camp
I enjoyed my stay in Bolton and would like to thank all the staff for
their patience, kindness and good will. Many thanks to the host mother
Gwen Naylor for her extraordinary good cooking and support. Thanks to
coach Chris for his enthusiasm, knowledge and effort.
Nejc Ribic
nejc.ribic@siol.net
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Shane Longpre Age: 13 Somerset, England Rome (2007)
”This is wonderful trip. Shayne is getting as good soccer coaching and
playing as we have seen anywhere. Claudio has been fantastic and has
worked hard to help us out and make our stay very enjoyable. Shayne has
fit in well with the boys on the soccer team and is having a great
time.”
Brian Longpre (father)
synergy@europe.com
|
Patrick McCaulay Age: 12 Monterrey, Mexico Bolton Summer Camp (2007)
“An amazing Experience”
Monica Lasheras (Mother)
mlasheras@kronozinternacional.com
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Ane Karoline Bak Foged Age: 17 Aarhus, Denmark Madrid Session # 1 (2007)
“The soccer coaches were good, the hotel was good, the food was good and
most of all the other participants were the best - Now I have friends
around the globe!”
Ane Foged
Ane2512@hotmail.com
David Dreher Age: 17 Hollywood, Florida Mexico month Long (2007)
Hi. I just talked to Ana and her mom. They were very positive. Ana said
she had a great time, would definitely recommend the program. She liked
the Cosilion family very much, said the kids were really well behaved,
and that they couldn’t have been nicer. She said the Cosilion’s don’t
speak much English, so it was good that she knew some Spanish from the
get go (I am happy about that!!!).
Jody Dreher (mother)
info@singyourwaytospanish.com
|
"Our son Neil is currently enrolled in the EduKick England Blackburn
Rovers FC year-long football course and it's everything EduKick promised
and much more! My son is receiving quality professional soccer training
daily and the Football Studies course at the college is just perfect for
him. I am more than happy to be a reference if anyone wants to hear from
an existing client." - Richard Hough, Downers Grove, IL, USA
rhough4012@comcast.net.“We would love to participate in being an EduKick reference! I want you
to know that Stevie is really enjoying Spanish this year. His experience
in Spain has really made him see things differently, the words mean more
and the expressions bring back fond memories of his trip. Stevie is
playing for the school soccer team and a premier team this year so the
EduKick training worked. Thanks!”
Maureen Boyle
Tel: 845-782-6174
revo34@frontiernet.net |
“My daughter Jessica Hershfield had an amazing time in Madrid this year!
It was a well rounded experience including all the components you
promised. She will always remember her summer abroad with EduKick!
Thanks so much and regards to all the coaches and teachers. Jess said it
is a real family!”
Tammy Hershfield
858-756-7376
thershfield@aol.com |
“Everything about the EduKick Italy soccer camp was fantastic, I had a
spectacular time!”
Aaron Shearer
aaronbravo2go@xtra.co.nz |
|
“I thought the EduKick Italy camp was amazing! I got to meet lots of new
people. The soccer training and both of the full day excursions were
fantastic! Thanks for the great experience.” - Lucas Pingatore, 13
“Having visited and seen the Italy camp first hand…I was very pleased
to see the organization and care for the campers. The quality of
training and facilities along with excellent Italian coaches made it a
quality soccer camp. I would send my son back any time.”
Ron Pingatore
204-4899071
ronpingitore@hotmail.com |
 EduKick
2003 participant, Brett Shannon (left), a 16 year old from Oakville,
Canada says, “Thank you so much for giving me the chance to experience
something that will most likely stay with me for the rest of my life.
The trip was more fun than I ever could have imagined! The whole program
was superbly organized and the Spanish teachers were very good….I can
now have basic conversations in Spanish and have a pretty large
vocabulary too!” |
Dear Mr. Bilotta,
Thank you very much for helping Mike during the EduKick Spain trip. He
really enjoyed the program and the experience. He would be able to write
something about this program and the excellent experience he had if you
need an essay or anything from a student who experienced this program
for publishing purposes, please just feel free to ask. Thank you very
much again and take care.
Regards,
Kikyung Park (mother of 16 year old EduKick participant Mike Park) |
 Paolo
Ferretti (left), 16 years old from Oakland, CA says, “I am just writing
you to check in. EduKick really inspired me! I have started working on
my game a lot by myself. Everyday that I do not have soccer practice I
do 300 squats and 150 crunches. I spent 40 minutes a day working out …20
minutes of strait juggling and 20 minutes of working on my left foot.
With my left foot I pass the ball 1000 times against a brick wall (like
you told me to do) and when I play I am not as scared to use my left
foot and it has improved. Right now all that I can think about is
becoming a pro soccer player. I will put soccer in front of everything
except for school of course. Hope to hear from you soon.”
-Paolo |
 “Just
wanted to tell you what a great time Noah had in Spain. He loved playing
soccer, living with his host mother, making Spanish, Canadian, and
American friends, and cruising the town. Noah learned a great deal of
Spanish and feels much more comfortable in his Spanish IV class in high
school. Even the 110 degree heat did not dampen his enjoyment.”
-Laura (mother of 16 year old EduKick player, Noah Buncher)
|
 “With
EduKick I immediately made great friends with kids from all over the US
and Canada, and we got along very well. The coaches at the camp were
very knowledgeable and the soccer program overall was a great learning
experience! If you are someone looking to improve your soccer skills,
learn a language, looking for things to put on your college apps, and
want to have a "real" summer, this is a perfect program for you!”
-Mike
Chan (16 year old from New Jersey) |
 “We
would love to participate in being an EduKick reference! I want you to
know that Stevie is really enjoying Spanish this year. His experience in
Spain has really made him see things differently, the words mean more
and the expressions bring back fond memories of his trip. Stevie is
playing for the school soccer team and a premier team this year so the
EduKick training worked. Thanks!
-Maureen (mother of 13 year-
old, Stephen Boyle)
|
 "My
perception of EduKick is a very positive one, as a parent I was rather
satisfied with Joey's constant reassurances and organizational skills.
I'd give EduKick 9 out of 10...overall they deserve very high marks for
their efforts and the results they achieved. I know my son Alex had a
great time, felt very secure, and enjoyed EduKick's program immensely.
He came home a very happy boy with not one single negative comment to
make. If you'd like to use me as a reference, please go ahead and do so.
Regards,"
Jordi Huguet,
(Father of 16 year old Alex from San Ramon, CA)
|
“During the
summer of 2003, my daughter, Rachael, accompanied EduKick to Spain for a
Soccer/Spanish Language Camp; she returned home with a higher level of
enthusiasm and comprehension of the Spanish language and she engaged her
talents daily with the EduKick intense soccer schedule. EduKick was
available 24/7 for this Mom and Dad who, of course, were anxious to
allow their 17 year old daughter to travel to Spain. The end result left
Rachael with a wealth of new friends, with whom she shares a lifetime
bond and with whom she continues to communicate. I’m grateful her Dad
and I were able to provide her with this opportunity and that we found
this well-rounded camp to provide the experience.”
Betty Dickhute
thistlefarm8@yahoo.com |
| “EduKick Spain
was Amazing! This was a totally awesome opportunity, being immersed into
a completely new culture gives you a chance to see world as you've never
seen it before. I've also made some great friends in Spain and around
the world that I still talk to now. The soccer itself was something
else, the opportunity to play with such amazing soccer players was a
dream come true. The Spanish coaches did an outstanding job conducting
the soccer sessions…and after even a week of training we were noticeably
better! Over all the EduKick trip was great; I would do it again in a
heart beat" - Claudia Nobauer
(center), 17 year old from Vancouver, B.C., Canada) |
 "Our
son attended the Edukick Spain program this past summer. He came home
with improved Spanish speaking capabilities as well as a better
comprehension of the language. We were very impressed by the management
of our child while he was abroad. There were plenty of sport and
cultural activities for him and he enjoyed the language classes. I would
recommend this trip for anyone who wants to improve their child's
language skills while providing a safe and pleasant environment." -
Deborah and Denis Tremblay
(Parents of Julien, 13 from Quebec, Canada) |
 ”I
was thirteen years old when I went to the Edukick camp in Spain. I was
an average soccer/futbol player and my Spanish was terrible. When I came
back I found that both my Spanish and my soccer improved greatly!
Overall, I had a great time and am considering going to another Edukick
camp this upcoming summer. -Tom Fenwick
“Overall, we think the Edukick camp was a very good experience for Tom
who is now in 8th grade. Edukick had the travel and living arrangements
well organized. Joey is extremely personable and made Tom feel at ease
in the group. This was very important as Tom was one of the younger kids
in the group. Tom has gained a broader perspective of the world,
improved on his soccer skills and benefited from the language immersion.
He now actually understands Spanish when spoken and is getting good
grades in his language courses.”-
Dorothea Fenwick ( mother of 13 year old son, Tom, Linwood, New
Jersey) |
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