PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers are launching an extensive soccer camps and clinics program to be held at PGE Park and at various locations around the Portland area in 2005, it was announced today. The most ambitious camp schedule in the Timbers’ five seasons, this year’s program features 11 different camps for players of all ability levels.

Timbers players and coaches will serve as camp instructors and site directors, while former U.S. Women’s National Team star and Portland-area native Tiffeny Milbrett will lead a specialized camp in March and a Day Camp in August.

Milbrett and the Timbers kick off this year’s camp schedule with a special Spring Break Striker/Goalkeeper Camp at PGE Park, March 21-24.

"I'm so excited to be a part of Timbers camps and the Timbers organization,” Milbrett said. “The Timbers were my team as a kid and to have been coached by Timbers greats like Clive Charles, Bill Irwin, Willie Anderson and Brian Gant was the highlight of my career. To be a part of the Timbers camps and to be able to pass down soccer to the kids now is going to very fun.”

The camp curriculum, authored by Timbers head coach Bobby Howe, will expose players to realistic soccer activity and will challenge them at their age and ability levels, providing a fun and educational soccer environment in which to learn.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with the young players in this community,” said Howe, who was the A-League (now USL First Division) Coach of the Year in 2004. “We have an experienced coaching staff with a real passion for the game, so I anticipate it to be an exciting time for everyone.”

Timbers players and coaches to serve as instructors and site directors include: Howe, Byron Alvarez, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Jim Brazeau, Jimmy Conway, Scot Thompson, Gavin Wilkinson, Brian Winters and many more. In addition, University of Portland and Canadian Women’s National Team standout Christine Sinclair will serve on the camp staff during select dates.

All campers will receive professional, one-on-one coaching from Timbers players, coaches and other qualified instructors, along with a Timbers soccer ball, a Timbers T-shirt, a ticket to a Timbers match at PGE Park and a certificate of participation.

The cost ranges from $180-$195, with a $30 discount available for early enrollment. Regular camps are open to players age 8-14, while the Tiffeny Milbrett Striker/Goalkeeper Camp on March 21-24 and the Aug. 8-11 Day Camp featuring Milbrett are offered to players age 12-18.

For more information or to register, email timberscamps@pgepark.com or call (503) 553-5428.

2005 TIMBERS YOUTH SOCCER CAMP SCHEDULE

March 21-24; PGE Park (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.); ages 12-18

June 13-16; PGE Park (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

June 27-30; PGE Park; (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

July 11-14; PGE Park; (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

July 18-21; Felida Park (Vancouver); (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

July 18-21; Sandy High School; (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

July 25-28; Delta Park (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14; July 25-28; Hillsboro Stadium; (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

Aug. 1-4; Gresham High School (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14

Aug. 1-4; Tualatin Hills Rec. Center; (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.); ages 8-14