Union County athletes were given a chance to learn valuable football skills from former college players last week during the Joe Woods Speed & Agility Football Camp.

Also known as “DATA” (Developing Athletes To Advance), the camp was led by Union County’s own Joe Woods Jr., a former college standout wide receiver while at Ole Miss and Clemson University, and college coach at Gardner-Webb University. Assisting Woods were other college coaches.

The campers were aged 8-18 and full of energy through the 90-degree heat both days. The camp was designed to help young athletes improve their budding football skills by focusing on increasing speed, technical skills and understanding of reading plays.

The camp was not only focused on the physical aspect of development but also health and academic advancement as well. Classroom time covered nutrition, proper etiquette when speaking to others, classes needed to get into college, a list of all of the colleges who have football programs and top paying jobs in different categories.

According to Woods, improvement was definitely noticeable by the second day of camp.

“The campers have great talent, some of them were surprising,” Woods said.

All of the participants received a certificate of appreciation for attending and completing the camp and three participants received trophies for the fastest time in the T-drill, L- Drill and a 10- yard Drill.

“We are looking forward to next summer,” Woods said. “It was fulfilling to see the drive, hunger and attentiveness that these young men displayed. We hope to continue to assist with the advancement of these young athletes as well as other young people in the community.”