“Congratulations once again on your accomplishment! You have been selected to participate in the DPL [Development Player League] PERFORM All-Star National Team at the 2024 DPL Finals in Norco, CA!” This is the email Rayne Camp got in June. Rayne is a freshman at Strawberry Crest High School (SCHS) where she plays outside forward on the varsity soccer team. She also plays Center Back in the West Florida Flames leagues—a youth soccer program with 5,000 youth and adult players across the Tampa Bay area.
The DPL identifies itself as a “purposeful and memorable player identification program that is an impartial selection process for the most gifted players evaluated through game performances.” The all-star finals invited 36 girls under 15 years old to Norco. Coaches selected 18 players to represent the United States on an international tour in Spain.
During the week of Thanksgiving, this U.S.A. DPL Perform team will play games against Spain’s FFB Reus, RCD Espanyol, and Girona FC.
Reaching this level of competition has taken Camp years of hard work and experience. She began playing in YMCA leagues when she was five years old, and played in West Florida Flames leagues for six years before entering high school at Strawberry Crest. Academically, the freshman has a 4.3333 average in the Cambridge AICE track at the school.
What do you like about playing soccer? “The relationships and memories that I’ve been able to make.”
How many hours a week do you spend on soccer? “12 to 15 hours a week on the field, and many more hours traveling.”
What is your best/most memorable play? “Kicking the final penalty kick to win the National 3v3 Tournament at the Wide World of Sports, ESPN Center.”
What are your favorite school subjects? “Math and American Sign Language.”
Do you like playing
outside forward or center back better? Why? “I prefer to play center back as I am more comfortable there and enjoy a good defensive tackle. I take a lot of pride in being a co-captain for my travel team, and holding our competitors to no goals. I have enjoyed getting to play outside forward for Strawberry Crest to learn a new position, and have more attacking and scoring opportunities.”
How did you react when you found out you were one of the final 18 that will play internationally? “At first, I didn’t believe it….I was SHOCKED. I never thought I would be chosen out of so many great players.”
What is your favorite memory of soccer? “My team finishing top two in the state and getting the chance to compete in the National Tournament in Norco, CA.”
What was it like going to the All-Star National Tournament in Norco, CA? “I was very nervous leading up to the game, but it ended up being a very fun experience while meeting and playing with new athletes.”
How do you feel about going to Barcelona to play? “I am very excited to have such a great opportunity to play with other top athletes from around the country while representing the USA.”