Kaylyn Kyle soccer camp passing the ball to Saskatoon youngsters

Saskatchewan's soccer community continues to make major strides thanks to a homegrown star.

Two years ago, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC started a Saskatchewan Academy to develop young players.

Last year, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's and men's teams posted their best performances ever in the post-season.

Now, Saskatoon's Kaylyn Kyle is giving another boost on the pitch by working one-on-one with aspiring soccer players. The inaugural Kaylyn Kyle soccer camp kicked off on Saturday in Saskatoon.

"It's super excited," Kyle said. "We just finished our first one with the U10s and it was amazing. I mean, there was so much energy from the kids and our coaches were absolutely incredible."

Born and raised in Saskatoon, the Canadian women's national team member felt it was important to start a grassroots training camp.

"They're local players and that's what I wanted — I wanted to grow the game," she said.

Young players blown away

For 11-year-old Jayla Keating, it's working.

"I felt really excited because I haven't participated in a soccer camp before," Keating said. "I wanted to try and see what it was like."

Hayley Budnick, 12, said she wanted to attend the second she heard about the camp.

"I just got really excited because I really want to go meet her and play soccer," Budnick said. "Getting to meet her and asking her questions about the World Cup and, like, how she made it."

While many of the kids were thrilled just to meet an Olympic bronze medalist, let alone play with her, Kyle said being a hometown hero hasn't sunk in yet.

"I feel like I'm just a Saskatoon girl," Kyle said. "I come home and I go out for dinner with my friends. You know, I can go walking by the river with our dogs and for me, it's just home. So I don't think I'm any kind of hero. If I can inspire one or two or all of these kids to be something great, then I'm doing my job as a person and as an athlete."

Kyle is bringing her soccer camp to Regina on Oct. 10 and 11. Find more information here.