'Every kid is coachable': Nike soccer camp in Naples focuses on development

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — Young soccer players at Nike Soccer Camp in Naples are spending the week running drills, sharpening their footwork and learning from coaches with professional soccer backgrounds.

The camp, held at Seacrest Country Day School, brought about 80 kids together for a week focused on technical development, confidence and building a stronger foundation in the sport.

David Popovski, the camp director and private soccer coach, said the camp is designed to meet players where they are, whether they are just learning the game or already trying to take the next step.

“I work more on ball mastery and technical development,” Popovski said. “We’re trying to make some drills where they’re fun and challenging for all the kids, because we have different ages and different levels.”

Popovski grew up playing soccer in Macedonia, where he went through a local academy system from age 6 to 18. He said he made his debut in the first division there at 18 before moving to the United States in 2019.

Now, his passion is helping young players in Naples find the same love for the game.

“Every kid is coachable, and every kid can develop,” Popovski said.

The camp is also led by Enoch Showunmi, a former forward who played more than a decade professionally in England, made more than 340 league appearances and earned two caps with Nigeria’s national team. Showunmi now serves as director of soccer at Seacrest Country Day School and has worked with Naples United on building academy programs and player pathways.

Showunmi said his approach is built around challenging players by skill level instead of only age.

“Even in a camp like this, I’m moving players around based on their skill level rather than their age,” Showunmi said. “So if I see a good 7-year-old, I’m going to move them up with 11-year-olds because they can compete with that age group.”

Showunmi said that kind of challenge can help players develop faster by forcing them to play quicker, think faster and rely on more than size or speed.

“It’s all about development,” Showunmi said. “It’s not about the wins and losses per se. It’s like, how can we get individual players to be at their best by the time they get to 18?”

Popovski said summer gives young players a chance to make real progress while they are away from school.

“In the summer, you should train maybe three times more, since you don’t have school,” Popovski said. “Usually in Europe, we develop the most in the summer.”

For the kids in Naples, the week is about using that time wisely, more touches, tougher drills and a chance to grow under coaches who know what the next level looks like.