Esta Soccer Camp

★★★Katelyn Rider

The coaches are all very nice. My daughter is four and attended last season of soccer. It was her just getting into soccer so she didn’t know much which I thought would be fine due to the age. She was placed with 5-6 year olds because she was technically 4.5 years old. Those little girls were very talented and you could tell they knew what they were doing. I was under the impression that this was a beginner soccer league but it truly didn’t seem that way. With only two coaches and so many children it was hard for my daughter to actually learn any useful skills. Just posting for any other parents in my position looking for a beginner league, it’s most likely best to do this along with some private lessons throughout the week.

★★Robert King

I have many friends who are competitive soccer coaches and have witnessed the value of such cultivation of young talent that helped my alma mater Shorecrest Prep win a State Championship for the boys team and State runner up for the girls team. Generally, the St. Pete Raiders seem well supported and inclusive, but one soccer coach is extremely belligerent and disrespectful to others using Puryear Park claiming that it’s “his park.” Granted, soccer has a set schedule, but twice he showed up 30 minutes early and started setting up cones right on top of other athletes practice area for track & field. Personally, I use Puryear Park throughout the year to train athletes in plyos, strength & conditioning and agility, but given how territorial and rude this coach is he’s made it so that my athletes must only practice at their high school and not with other athletes who also participate in AAU and want to train together. As a St. Petersburg native I grew up attending USTA tennis camp, playing basketball and training for high school and college football using the public parks of St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg Raiders need to be more respectful of others using Puryear Park and not make others feel like it’s “their park.” That coach in question is such a poor role model to his young players that the organization should ask him not to coach to protect the safety and moral development of these children. Two of the elite athletes who now will no longer be able to use Puryear Park. They are the best in St. Petersburg in their event.

★★Jessica Thomas

So having a coach who has no problem throwing up the middle finger and screaming blatant racism at a game isn’t ruining youth soccer but parents sharing their disappointment and frustration over the incident is. At the end of the day you can take the time to review the videos and photos and delete comments but this whole situation is showing how little you care about your commitment to integrity, respect and community.

★★★★★Mapping It Eler

I played for St. Pete Raiders when I was a kid and now my children are able to play with them. The have a great Little Raiders League for 3-5 year olds. Coach Pablo is amazing with the kids. My older child is having a great experience with St. Pete Raiders. This is our 3rd season and we love it. They also have an awesome indoor soccer league in the summers. Update: Still with the Raiders and loving it. One of the best places for kids to learn. Coach Jordan is great and you can see he cares for the kids he teaches and the organization! So happy to be with the Raiders for all these years.

★★★★★Mike Winsor

Always a great place to visit! Soccer fields look terrific after the rain and fresh cut. If you're looking for a good youth soccer program that takes pride in the development of the kids in the community both on and off the field then this is the best choice around!