MIDDLEBURG - The idea was born more than three years ago when former Middleburg High School football and NFL star Richard Owens collaborated with Middleburg head coach Rob Justino to start an annual football camp, now in its third year the Faith Football Camp has grown leaps and bounds from the inaugural event.
“Each year the camp has grown, we started with 140 kids the first year,” said Justino. “The following year we had 160 and this year we went over the 180 mark. It’s really a special kind of camp.”
Along with Owens, current Carolina Panthers tight end and former Middleburg prep star Gary Barnidge, Arena Football player Tony Stallings and college football studs Joey Novatosky and Glenn Oliver (both played at Middleburg) took part in the camp.
“It’s always great to see the former players come back and give of themselves to the kids,” added Justino. “Each one of those guys took time out of their busy schedules to talk with the kids and their faces lit up when they saw Garry.”
Campers learned some of the intricacies of the football game and preparation but they also learned about faith as Middleburg First Baptist Church youth pastor Carson Fellows shared a message with the campers.
“This really is a different kind of camp,” said Justino. “The campers get to learn and play football; we also have a punt and pass competition. But more than anything the kids get a chance to hear the Gospel and that’s so important.”