A taste of the Women's World Cup is coming to the Lowcountry.
Team First Soccer Academy -- featuring former U.S. Women's National Team stars Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini-Hoch -- will host a camp Dec. 12-14 at USC Beaufort's Hilton Head Gateway Campus.
The trio has combined for five Olympic gold medals, five World Cup titles and 12 NCAA championships.
'We are so excited to bring Team First Soccer Academy to USCB,' Hamm said in a release. 'We can't wait to share our love and passion for the game with all the young soccer players in the Lowcountry.'
The camp for girls ages 8 to 18 will cost $400.
The event has been in the works since January 2013, when Sand Sharks women's soccer assistant coach Hilary George met Lilly at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in Indianapolis. They began discussing the prospect of the organization holding at camp in the Lowcountry.
Some initial logistical concerns were put to rest when USCB announced plans to construct four acres of recreation fields, which will be completed in time for the camp and provide ample space for the expected large turnout.
'These women are the matriarchs of women's soccer in the United States,' George said in a release. 'Their popularity has extended through the generations. My mother loves them. I love them. I was just training a 13-year-old who still wears No. 9 because of Mia Hamm. It's really exciting to know they are coming to our campus.'
USCB women's soccer head coach Ed Heberling is excited about the camp.
'This will be great for the university and the Lowcountry,' USCB head coach Ed Heberling said in a release Monday. 'To have three players of their prominence choosing our campus to do a camp is a tremendous honor. I look forward to seeing this camp excel and thrive in the future.'
The camp runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14. Every camper receives a Nike T-shirt, a Nike soccer ball, a player card autographed by Hamm, Lilly and Hoch and a camp team photo.
There also will be an autograph session at which all campers will have the opportunity to take an individual photo with Hamm, Lilly and Hoch.
Register: http://ift.tt/1s76iOg.