Local high school soccer players got the chance to learn from a strong college coach this past week, during the annual Vinny Gill Warriors camp at Centennial Field.

Gill, the coach of the Middle Georgia State College Warriors and Lady Warriors soccer teams, visited Bainbridge from Monday through Thursday to offer his expertise to the Bearcats and Lady Cats.

A native of Ireland who currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., Gill has been holding the camps in Bainbridge since the late 1990s. He has also coached several Bainbridge graduates at Middle Georgia, including Aubrie Provence and Hal Clement.

Gill said he has been a longtime friend of both Bainbridge girls coach Chip Ariail and Bainbridge boys coach Jamie Ard, and always enjoys coming to Decatur County for the annual camp.

“It’s always fun to come out here and work with these young people,” Gill said. “Bainbridge’s coaches have done a great job of building the program here.”

Gill said the focus of his camp is to improve players’ fundamentals.

“We’ve been working on a little bit of everything, including passing, shooting, dribbling and ball control,” he said. “But we’re also trying to have a bit of fun while we’re out here.”

Ariail said Bainbridge is lucky to have an asset like Gill who lives close by.

“It is a tremendous benefit for our program,” he said. “Coach Gill has had a successful résumé at both the high school and college level, and experience as a semi-professional player.

“Through his instruction, he is able to teach fundamentals that are crucial in a player’s development, in every level of the game, no matter the age level.”

Ariail added that it is important for players to occasionally hear a different “voice” of coaching.

“A well-rounded player is developed over time and with a variety of experiences,” he said. “Since coach Gill has had many years of success on the college ranks, he is able to give first-hand knowledge of what is required to be an accomplished team player.”