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By Scott Franco
sfranco@altoonamirror.com
Growing up in Altoona, 11-year-old Justin Bossler started to learn how to play the game of soccer right here in Blair County. Then, his abilities allowed him -- with the help of mom and dad -- to go to Centre County where he became part of a team that is the Celtic Soccer Club. But the trip didn't end there.
Now, Bossler, a student at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, will leave this Friday for Great Britain where he will take part in a soccer camp until April 7. The camp, which is run by the Wolverhampton Wanderers Soccer Club is something you have to be invited to attend.
"The Celtics had a connection with them and he went to a tryout in State College and from there, he was accepted to the national camp in Georgia," explained Justin's father, Jay. "That was July of 2017."
Justin competed at the camp last summer for four days along with 160 kids from ages 8-18 from both the United States and Canada. He made it through the process and was invited to the academy in the United Kingdom.
"I was surprised but it was really cool," said Justin. "I thought I had a good chance."
According to the team's website, the Wanderers, a professional soccer team, are in the process of joining the Premeir League, which is the top level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football League. The current champion is Chelsea F.C. The Premier League ranks fourth among professional sports leagues in the world by revenue.
They are the people who run the camp in which Justin will participate.
"If he learns anything, I would want it to be sportsmanship, the fundamentals of the game … as long as he takes something out of it, it will be worth the money," said dad, who will be going along on the trip with his wife Michelle, and their daughter, Jordan. "If anything else comes from the trip, like making a couple of friends, plus experiencing another culture, seeing the sites, that's a plus."
Jay and his wife attended Altoona Area High School. Jay admits he did not play soccer but wishes he did.
"Altoona had soccer but you didn't hear about it," he said. "I would never have had this opportunity at his age. When he got the opportunity, how could we tell him no?"
Global Image Sports partnered with the Celtics Soccer Club in State College. That is the connection that got Justin to Georgia and then across the Atlantic Ocean.
"We had a couple of kids go last year," said Gary DePalma, Justin's coach with the Celtics Soccer Club. "We have four total going this year."
Justin, who is a striker and a left forward for the Celtics, says he's excited about the trip and hopes to improve upon his game.
"I want to learn a couple of new moves and learn how to move the ball better," he said.
DePalma, who's been the CSC director the past three years, believes the benefits are huge for youngsters like Justin.
"He has great technical skill, great control of the ball at his age," he said "He has exceptional ability for his age. I would like to see his confidence grow from this. He is a great kid but I think he can do more. The experience matures them a little bit and opens their eyes to what is out there."