English Schools' Football Association

Longbenton pupils at the Mestalla Stadium, home to CF Valencia

A group of seventeen school children from Longbenton Community College (North Tyneside Schools' FA) recently returned from a once in a lifetime five day football development tour to Valencia Football Club in sunny southern Spain.

The highly anticipated tour was organised by Ross Guy, a PE teacher at the school in collaboration with specialist sports tour provider inspiresport. The trip was open to pupils of all standards and abilities with the main requirement being a passion for football.

Speaking about the choice of destination for the trip Mr Guy said, “After talking it through with Jed from inspiresport, we decided that Valencia was the place for us. A combination of Spanish sun and top facilities seemed too good to pass on. I was most grateful for the recommendation as it turned out to be perfect!”

The group enjoyed an action packed schedule from start to finish that included rigorous training sessions run by the Valencia CF youth coaches, a match against local opposition, a behind the scenes tour of the Mestalla Stadium, and a local La Liga match between Valencia CF and Levante UD – a highlight of the trip according to My Guy.

“The trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for these lads. They spent time away from home and their parents, in a foreign country, experiencing new food and a different culture”.

“Importantly they had first class football facilities available to them, and access to some of Spain’s best youth coaches – as a result the improvement in their skill levels was obvious”.

“We’re already looking at running another tour in 2013. There are a number of possible alternative destinations, but I would highly recommend Valencia to anyone thinking of running a football tour”.

Mr Guy feels strongly about the important role sports tours play in a young person’s education. “Schools have an important role within society to introduce pupils to, and encourage pupils in, physical activity. Sports tours are a big part of this. It is important to give students the opportunity to enjoy and learn from experiences such as this”.

Teacher of mathematics Eddie Hunter, who also had the pleasure of attending the trip, echoed Mr Guy’s sentiments that the tour was an opportunity of a lifetime.

“Teaching the lads how to play the way of the world champions has to be a good thing. I was hugely impressed with the organisation of the trip, by both inspiresport and Mr Guy”, said Mr Hunter.

Tom Shorey, Managing Director for inspiresport said, "I was so pleased that Longbenton Community College were able to experience an inspiresport development tour and that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves".

"I truly believe that our sporting development tours play a hugely positive role in a young person's education, offering not only a top class sporting experience but also providing a well rounded cultural trip, the memories of which will last a lifetime"

"Our main objective has always been to make a difference to young people’s lives through providing unique access for all standards of players to the top domestic and international clubs across the world”.

If you would like more information on inspireport, the official English Schools' FA Sports Tour provider, then please visit http://www.inspiresport.com/