Olympic medallist Emily Zurrer returned to the Cowichan Valley on Aug. 16 to host a skills camp for young soccer players along with the Tide Academy at the Sherman Road soccer turf in Duncan.
A bronze medal-winner with Canada in the 2012 London Olympics, Zurrer grew up in Crofton and played soccer in the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association before embarking on her international and professional career.
This year’s camp, the first Zurrer has hosted in the Cowichan Valley since 2016, attracted 26 participants and raised $1,286 to help out a local family.
Joining Zurrer for the camp was Erin McNulty, a former national program and Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper who is now the goalie coach for the UBC Thunderbirds.
The Tide are already working with Zurrer to plan a camp for next summer.
“It was fun had by all,” Tide spokesperson Neall Rowlings said. “Next year we hope to get a larger crowd for sure.”