From the young boy just learning to shoot to Natasha Kai, who scores goals for the women's national team, all levels of soccer players filled the fields of the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park yesterday.

It was a soccer lover's dream, with clinics, camps and all-star games taking up almost all of the 21 fields of the soccer complex.

"It's great; the soccer community is getting bigger and bigger," Kai said. "Growing up I didn't have all this."

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., thousands of soccer players took advantage of seemingly endless chances to play, including the first of two straight days of free clinics held by members of the U.S. Women's National Team, and the Hawai'i Youth Soccer Association's Olympic Development Program, HYSA's Class of 2007 All-Star Games and AYSO games.

"We're just thrilled to see (the soccer complex) used to its fullest extent," HYSA president Scott Keopuhiwa said. "This next week and a half is youth soccer spring time at its finest."

And yesterday was just the beginning. Today, HYSA's ODP, designed to find the top talent locally and nationally, continues through Tuesday. It features college coaches from around the country instructing players 12-and-younger through 17-and-younger.

Men's Island Soccer Organization and Women's Island Soccer Association games will also be played today.

"It's soccer central here this week," Keopuhiwa said.

Thursday, the annual Kirk Banks Tournament begins, which usually draws hundreds to thousands of players.

"Anybody and everybody is out here to have a great time; out here just kicking the ball around," said Brendan Cravalho, AYSO Section Seven (Hawai'i) Director.

With nearly 20,000 players in AYSO and another 5,000 in HYSA, "per capita we have a good share of kids in Hawai'i playing soccer," Cravalho said.

One youth player, 12-year-old Nicole Nakakura of Kona, took advantage of the offerings. She made the trip for ODP, but when she found out about the national team clinics, "I was so excited," she said.

"I like to watch soccer, and it's really cool to come here and meet professionals," Nakakura said.

Although she played soccer almost non-stop yesterday, she said, "It's fun, but tiring. It's worth it. I get to experience fun here (at the national team clinics) and more serious soccer at ODP."

That's what the national team members wanted to accomplish, Kai said.

"It's all about the love of the sport," said Kai, here with her national team teammates for the inaugural Good Will Champions tour that included nearly 2,000 kids from age 5 to 18.

"It's all about coming back and giving back to the community," Kai said. "We want to be people they can look up to."

Kaliko Zabala-Moore celebrated her 10th birthday yesterday at the clinic, and got an autograph and picture with Kai, her favorite player.

"She scores all the goals," Zabala-Moore said.

Some of the top high school seniors from around the state, boys and girls, were also showcasing their skills in the third annual HYSA All-Star game. Thirty-four girls and 36 boys were chosen for the honor.

In the girls game, Kapa'a's Ka'ala Leong scored in the 78th minute for the Gold team after controlling the ball in the 18-yard box and shooting. Blue team goalkeeper Ashley Park of Mid-Pacific made the initial save but the ball bounced in.

"It was so fun," Leong said. "I'm totally shocked I scored. It was an honor to be chosen. I'm really proud to represent Kaua'i."

Blue midfielder Carisa Calpo of Pearl City, who is headed to Hawai'i-Hilo, scored on a corner kick from the left side that curled in over goalkeeper Carianne Makino's (Kaiser) head with four minutes to play as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

"It's really fun," said Calpo, who said she doesn't usually play with players outside her Leahi club. "I aimed for the backdoor and I didn't think it would go in."

Makua Lani's Peter Jars scored three goals to lead the Black squad to a 5-0 win over the Gold team in the boys game.

Jars scored in the eighth, 52nd and 71st minutes.

"It was pretty good," said Jars, who moved from Denmark two years ago. "Playing with these guys, they are pretty good."

Curtis Kiyabu of Kapolei added another goal on an assist from Kamehameha's Kekoa Osorio with eight minutes remaining in the half and 'Iolani teammates Kody Adams and Andrew Inaba connected for the Black team's third goal of the first half on a diving header off a cross from Inaba from the right side that sailed to the far left post with about four minutes to go.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.