ROCKINGHAM — One of the largest annual summer youth events in Richmond County will celebrate its 10th anniversary in July.
Dannell Ellerbe shared on his social media platforms earlier this week that his 10th annual football camp will return to Rockingham.
Returning for back-to-back- years for the first time since 2018 and 2019 because of the pandemic, Ellerbe’s one-day FUNdamentals camp will be held Saturday, June 22.
Sponsored by USA Football, this year’s camp will be held on the practice fields at Richmond Senior High School. Camp will begin at 9 a.m and run through 12:30 p.m.
Open to interested players from around the region ages six to 17, pre-registration for the free event is currently open. Same-day registration will open at 8 a.m. the morning of camp.
Ellerbe, who grew up in Hamlet and attended Richmond Senior, went on to have a storied NFL career. He played nine seasons and won two Super Bowls, the most recent during his final season in 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s hard to believe this is the number 10!!!” Ellerbe wrote in a Facebook post announcing the camp, “Can’t wait to get back home and get active with the youth of my hometown!!!”
Started in 2012, Ellerbe’s camp ran each summer until 2019 before taking a four-year hiatus. It returned last summer with over 180 campers in attendance. Previous camps saw attendance near 250 youth.
To ensure that a camper gets a t-shirt and goody bag, and to help camp organizers adequately prepare food and drink accommodations, families are encouraged to pre-register campers.
Dannell Ellerbe FUNdamentals football camp registration
Shervella Ellerbe, Dannell’s wife and also a Richmond County native, has spent the last decade and a half helping operate the logistics of the camp.
Activities during camp will include working on players’ speed and agility, footwork, passing, catching, as well as stance and tackling drills, among others.
Ellerbe said an emphasis will be put on playing the game the “safest way,” all in a non-contact setting. He also explained that the goal is to show campers the fundamentals of the game, grow their knowledge of the sport and give insight on each position in football.
Like in years past, campers will be split into four different age groups — 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17 — to work through a series of drills and stations. There will also be a “fastest player” race near the end of camp, with breakfast and lunch being provided.
Ellerbe will have several of his former teammates from Richmond, the University of Georgia and the NFL on hand to assist with the activities and interact with the youngsters.
“It’s a family event,” Ellerbe said in a video posted on his social media. “All my family, my wife’s family, come together to work the camp… it’s all hands on deck. I’ve got a lot of sponsors that send free stuff that makes the job easier for me.
“I’m just thankful because I get to see the whole thing now, how much it takes on the back end to bring it together,” he closed.
Pre-registration for Ellerbe’s 10th annual FUNdamentals camp closes May 31.
