A record 1,193 athletes joined one or more Berky sessions in 2024, and USWNT legends Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Tisha Venturini Hoch and their TeamFirst crew were on hand for their ninth summer. For the first time, we offered athletes a choice of Bridge trips. And we welcomed 74 first-year campers for a three-day, two-night August mini-camp — 50 mini-campers have already signed up for 2025. Finally, we made dreams come true hosting our first USWNT Women’s Fantasy Camp. Here’s a closer look at some of the 2024 highlights.
Berky United
Berky United, our initiative to foster diversity in our community and better the world through soccer, came to life in 2024. We recruited a record 24 scholarship campers from organizations such as Boston Scores, Focus for a Future, Right to Dream and Taconic Hills Central School District. For the third summer, we welcomed two Assistant Coaches from Ghana who attend top American prep schools via the Right to Dream Foundation. Our Right to Dream assistant coaches excel on the fields and in the cabins, and our alumni play for Dartmouth, Brown, Vanderbilt, and Amherst.
Teaming up with Coach Mary Barbato, we hosted the Taconic Hills Central School District girls’ soccer team for a three-day, two-night pre-season camp. Nineteen players and three coaches trained, enjoyed electives and bonded as a team. We are excited to continue expanding our Berky United efforts in 2025.
Inspiring Greatness: Visiting Pro, Jess McDonald
Former USWNT player Jess McDonald inspired and motivated Session V campers as Berky’s Visiting Pro, bringing energy, passion and authenticity on and off the field.
Jess kicked off her visit with a Q&A session, sharing her non-traditional journey to the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). She spoke about her college career, which began at an Arizona junior college, where she excelled in soccer, basketball, and track and field and her decision to focus on soccer and transfer to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where she helped the Tar Heels to back-to-back NCAA championships. For the next ten years, she played for ten different professional teams as she continued to pursue her dream of playing for the National Team. At age 31, Jess’s determination and resilience paid off when she joined the USWNT, making history as the first mother to win a World Cup.
After lunch, Jess joined the players on the field. Her fun and quirky personality helped players feel comfortable and excited to tackle new skills. Jess even kicked off her shoes and participated in drills barefoot, explaining that playing in barefeet helped her feel grounded. Jess’s energy and vulnerability left a lasting impact on players and coaches!
Fantasy Camp with Mia, Tish & Lil
From August 16 to 18, 2024, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Tisha Venturini Hoch hosted the inaugural US Women’s Soccer Legends Adult Fantasy Camp at the Academy. Seventy-two women from 26 states, ages 21 to 70, came to the Berkshires to connect and play with their idols. Attendees included two US Army veterans who hadn’t seen each other in five years, a grandmother and avid USWNT fan from Washington state and her Massachusetts-based daughter.
Great food, lots of soccer and camaraderie highlighted the weekend. A fiesta-themed dinner kicked off the weekend followed by a fireside Q&A session. Participants were up early on Saturday, playing pick-up soccer and practicing yoga before breakfast. The morning featured a technical soccer session where participants learned and practiced some of Mia, Kristine and Tish’s favorite moves. The afternoon’s small-sided tournament culminated in a match between a group of “All-Star” attendees and Mia, Tish, Lil, and several Berky coaches with the remaining participants cheering them on.
An over-the-top Maine Lobster Bake capped off Day 2. The feast featured Maine lobster, steamers, shrimp, and more. An impromptu karaoke party broke out after dinner. Kristine and Tish joined in with a rendition of *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.”
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