Monday, September 22, 2008

International Soccer Boarding School Player Lands Spot on French Professional Team

Mason Hampel, 17, has been selected to be part of the French 3rd division professional team AS Cannes U18 squad; Mason currently attends the EduKick international soccer boarding school in Cannes, France.

CANNES, France (September 22, 2008) -- Mason Hampel, 17, has been selected to be part of the French 3rd division professional team AS Cannes U18 squad. Mason currently attends the EduKick yearlong international soccer boarding school in Cannes, France.

"We're very proud of Mason," said Joey Bilotta, vice president of EduKick. "He's an extremely talented player, and he will be a strong addition to the AS Cannes U18 squad."

Mason had already attended EduKick Spain soccer boarding school when he contacted the head office this March. He was in Europe vacationing with his family, and he wondered if there were any EduKick opportunities in France. When he found out about the EduKick soccer boarding school in Cannes, he asked if he could make a site visit.

EduKick partners with former French National Team coach Michel Hidalgo to offer this unique yearlong French language immersion soccer boarding school located in the French Riviera. Mason stayed at the International College of Cannes, where EduKick's French soccer boarding school students live and receive their French language study on a daily basis.

During Mason's visit, Alain Aschbasher, EduKick France technical director and AS Cannes youth sector director, invited Mason to try out for the AS Cannes U18 squad.

"It is a huge, huge honor to be invited to try out for a professional team," said Bilotta. "It's something that only happens for our very best players, so we're always excited when somebody truly deserving like Mason gets chosen."

Mason arrived in Cannes on Aug. 18, ready for his first training session with the U18 French squad. During his first three weeks in Cannes, Mason has taken part in several training sessions, fitness tests and friendly matches. His performances made an immediate impression with the coaches, who have reported that they are very pleased with Mason's application and technical ability.

His amateur contract with the AS Cannes U18 squad will not jeopardize any future college eligibility.

"Mason possesses all of the attributes necessary to be a successful participant in EduKick's year-long soccer boarding school. He has tremendous athletic ability, academic initiative and drive, personal integrity and commitment," said Jon Morgan, general manager for EduKick.

"In just three short weeks, his positive attitude, dedication, and willingness to learn and adapt have made him popular with AS Cannes soccer technical coaches and EduKick France staff members."

"EduKick year-long soccer boarding schools are 36 weeks in duration, so you can imagine the effect this period of time can have on the technical development of young players like Mason," added Morgan.

Hear more from Mason here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1939241945800392072

Take the next step in your soccer career. Visit www.EduKick.com today and see what international soccer boarding schools are available.

About EduKick Soccer Boarding Schools:

EduKick provides intensive soccer training programs that also teach students about cultural diversity and foreign languages.

As professionals, soccer fanatics and fathers, Joseph Bilotta and Corey Zimmerman wanted to create programs that maximized the youth's time abroad. Their programs instill a sense of independence and pride through international travel, structured language study, cultural excursions, and daily professional soccer training.

Contact
Joey Bilotta
VP of EduKick, Inc.
905-469-5661
jb@educkick.com
www.edukick.com
http://media.edukick.com/