Haverfordwest Academy U13’s Football Development Tour to Villarreal

 

The party of twelve boys, one child and 17 adults travelled through the night to reach Bristol Airport for an early flight to Alicante, where they met the Inspiresport Rep, Pablo. A long coach journey took them to the four-star Intur Orange Hotel, where they quickly settled in before they were off to meet the Villarreal CF coaching staff at the Camino Miralcamp.

 

Superb facilities and coaching

 

The Villarreal state of the art training ground included three seven-a-side 4g astro pitches, two 3G full-size pitches and two 11 a side grass pitches, a mini stadium for the reserve team and under 18  academy matches, and accommodation for one hundred academy players aged from 11 to 18 years.

 

The coaching session was taken by Marc, the Villarreal u13’s coach and despite travelling overnight the boys worked hard and were impressive. After an enjoyable coaching session the boys just had enough time for a quick dip in the outdoor pool before their evening meal.

In the evening the party were split up into four groups to take part in “The Big Football Quiz” organised by Rep Pablo, but question master and adjudicator for the evening was Phil Jones.  The winners of the quiz were the adults, but the boys’ football knowledge was impressive.

 

Lots of fun outside training

 

The players trained again on Monday morning with a very intensive session taken by Marc. After an enjoyable lunch the group relaxed by going in the outdoor pool (unheated!), playing mini golf and beach volleyball  After their evening meal the boys got revenge on the adults by winning the “Family Fortunes Quiz” organised by Phil, before watching  Manchester United v Manchester City on the hotel’s big screen.

 

Tuesday morning saw another coaching session at the Miralcamp and coach Marc was impressed with the standard of play from the boys and he wished them well in their match that evening. The boys saw the Villarreal first team players – and their cars in the players’ car park!  They spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool and a walk along the seafront before getting ready for their match.

That evening Haverfordwest Academy U 13’s took on local side Ripolles at the Bovalar pitch. The boys ran out 2-0 winners after some impressive play in the heat.  (see match report).

 

Busy last day

The final day was just as busy with a morning training session before going to watch the Villarreal first team training.  A tour of Estadio El Madrigal followed where the boys had great fun in the press room and they sat in the dug outs by the side of the pitch.  They saw the impressive home changing room and the mark on the officials’ door allegedly caused by Wayne Rooney when he was sent off a few seasons ago.  A visit to the club shop saw Villarreal shirts flying off the shelves before the party headed back to the hotel for lunch and the coach journey to Barcelona Airport.

The party returned safely to Wales in the early hours of Thursday morning at a rainy Bristol, tired but full of enthusiasm about their trip. The boys were a credit to Haverfordwest Academy during their visit and would like to thank Inspiresport for their excellent tour arrangements, Pablo for being a great rep, Andrew Price for providing tour polo shirts, Evans Coaches, Milford (organised by Mark Hicks) and the parents, nanny and Hannah for making the trip so entertaining.

Trip members:

Players: Max Brindley, Curtis Hicks, Charlie Davies, Garin Gardner, Nicholas Jones, Danny Llewellyn, Danny Hopkin, Alex Varney, Tobias Nash, Ethan Price (Capt), Rowan Nicolson, James Williams (and Hannah Williams)

Adults: Angie Nicholls, Ani Nicholls, Julie Nicolson, Val Varney, Maria Goddard, Cheryl John,  Marion John Michelle Davies, Bernard Steer, Alan Davies, Alan Brindley, Mark Gardner, Mark Hicks, Andrew Hopkin, Phil Jones, Raymond Nash, Michael Williams.