ROCKINGHAM — A summertime staple in Richmond County is returning for its 11th edition this weekend.
The Ellerbe Family Foundation, which is operated by Dannell and Shervella Ellerbe, announced the return of its FUNdamentals Camp for area football players.
Set for Saturday, June 21, the camp is sponsored by USA Football. The one-day event will be held on the practice football fields at Richmond Senior High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
With no cost to campers, pre-registration is now open. Campers may also register the morning of camp starting at 8 a.m.
The camp is open to interested players from around the region between the ages of six to 17. A social media post promised that players will “Elevate your game” and “Learn from the best.”
“I am super excited to come HOME for our 11th year of the camp,” Ellerbe said in a Facebook post promoting the camp. “Can’t wait to see you guys.”
Dannell Ellerbe, who grew up in Hamlet and attended Richmond Senior, went on to have a successful NFL career. He played nine seasons and won two Super Bowls, the most recent during his final season in 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last month, Ellerbe was one of a dozen inductees into Richmond Senior High Schools Raider Athletics Hall of Fame. Shervella Ellerbe, also a Richmond County native, helps plan and run the camp, too.
Started in 2012, Ellerbe’s camp ran each summer until 2019 before taking a four-year hiatus. It returned in 2023 and this year will mark three straight summers of instruction to local players.
This summer, Ellerbe is expanding the camp to include a one-day session in Cooper City, Fla., near his current residence.
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.
During last summer’s camp, which had 120 campers, players worked with Ellerbe and a host of college and NFL level players and coaches to fine-tune their game. The expectation again this year is to have many of the same former stars in attendance.
Working in different age groups, campers will develop their speed and agility, footwork, passing, catching, as well as stance and tackling drills, among others.
Ellerbe explained a major emphasis will be put on playing the game the “safest way,” all in a non-contact setting.
He also said 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.
For more information, visit theellerbefamilyfoundation.com.
