“WorldStrides Excel Sports takes 24 North American Coaches to the UK on an Educational Coaching Tour” February, 2016 Twenty four technical directors, directors of coaching, ODP and youth coaches from various clubs throughout Virginia traveled with WorldStrides Excel Sports on a fully customized coaching educational tour to England and Scotland! The nine day tour consisted of visits to top academy teams including Celtic FC, Rangers FC, Manchester City, and Everton FC, where the coaches received educational lectures and watched practical academy training sessions. After a day of learning with Celtic FC, Tim Krout from VYSA said that it was a “phenomenal day of learning at one of the best player development clubs in the world.” The coaches also had stadium tours at various clubs throughout England and Scotland including; Celtic Park – home of the Glasgow Celtic, Hampden Park - Scotland’s National stadium, Ibrox Stadium - home of Glasgow Rangers, Etihad Stadium – home of Manchester City and Old Trafford Stadium – home of Manchester United. They also attend two English Premier League matches – Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool vs. Aston Villa! Overall, this once in a lifetime trip was a great learning opportunity for the coaches but will most importantly help better their players! “Traveling to Scotland and England for Coaching Education trip with 24 coaches from Virginia. Visits to Manchester City, Rangers, Celtic and Everton. Blessed and honored” – Matt Badiee, VYSA Read below to learn about what the coaches experienced at each club!
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Scottish Football Association Visit: Welcome to Scotland! The coaches were immersed in the Scottish football culture as soon as they landed. Their first stop on the nine day tour was a visit to Hampden Park, Scotland’s National Stadium. They were met by Donald Gillies of the Scottish FA where he presented “The SFA Coaching Education System.” At the conclusion of the lecture the coaches had the opportunity to tour Hampden Stadium! Highlights from the tour included seeing the team changing room, walking down the tunnel onto the pitch and following in the footsteps of legends by climbing the stairs to the cup presentation area!
Glasgow Celtic Visit: Highlights of the tour included walking through the trophy room, visiting the team locker room and walking around the stadium! After the stadium tour the coaches learned more about Celtic’s academy program with presentations by Chris McCart (Youth Academy Manager), a Junior Academy Presentation (U5-U12’s) with Martin Miller (Junior Academy Manager), and an International Presentation by Willie McNab (International Soccer Academy Manager). Their day at Glasgow Celtic concluded with attending the U10-U12’s practical session with Junior Academy coaches at Barrowfield training ground! Click here to watch an interview with Excel Sports Tour Director Robin Wood and Heather Sanden after they spent the day with Celtic FC! “Humbled, privileged, inspired by Celtic FC Academy. Great structure, visions, standards and attention to detail.” – Matt Lacey
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Glasgow Rangers FC Visit: The coaches spent a full day at Glasgow Rangers Football Club watching training sessions at Murray Park! Following the training session the coaches were allotted time to have a Question and Answer session with a coaching staff member. The Q and A session provided valuable information for the coaches and is a memory that they will never forget! After a morning filled with training sessions, the coaches toured Ibrox Stadium. The coaches had exclusive access to the home dressing room, the Trophy Room and walked through the tunnel and took a seat in the dugout!
Click here to watch an interview with Tour Director Woody and Coach after their day at Glasgow Rangers. “Thank you Excel for an excellent Coaches educational tour of England and Scotland. From Premier League games to Q&A sessions, club presentations to academy sessions, the tour provided valuable insight, delivering on every level.” – Daniel Wadeson
Manchester City Visit: The coaches tour continued into England where they attended two English Premier League matches, but it was back to learning when they arrived at Manchester City FC Academy grounds! After learning about their academy program it was time for a stadium tour of Etihad! The tour included visiting the players’ changing rooms, the players/coaches’ briefing room, the coaches’ box, and they walked through the tunnel and onto the pitch! Their day at Manchester City concluded with visits to the academy building and an evening visit to watch a Manchester City Academy session! Click here to watch an interview with Coach Alex Pinto and Tour Director Woody after their day at Manchester City FC.
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Everton FC Visit: The final stop on the nine day tour concluded with a visit to Everton FC. The coaches received an academy presentation by Chris Sulley, the Joint Head of Coaching at Everton Football Club. Following the presentation the coaches watched Everton’s U18 Academy team train! The rest of the afternoon was filled with more learning as they watched a Sports Science Presentation. Their final day concluded with observing Everton’s U16’s, U15’s and U14’s academy teams train! “Great experience, learning from the top clubs here in England and Scotland, now it’s time to go back put on practice sessions and share information.” –Alex Pinto, Arlington Soccer Club.
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If you are interested in planning an international soccer trip with your team WorldStrides Excel Sports would like to work with you! Established in 1998, we are based in Maryland where we have been the industry leader in organizing international soccer travel for North American teams. We have a proven track record with many high level repeat customers. Recent clients include the Men’s Soccer programs at The University of Maryland, Virginia, Georgetown University, George Washington, William and Mary and many others. We have also worked with numerous cluby teams and various state Olympic Development Programs including Maryland Youth Soccer Association, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Arizona. Every team that travels with WorldStrides Excel Sports is backed by the strength of WorldStrides, the nation’s largest and most trusted student travel organization. Together, Excel and WorldStrides combine to offer students more than 65 years of travel experience. Highlights of an Excel Sports Tour:
Each team is backed by an industry leading $50 million liability coverage. We have a host of contacts throughout Europe allowing your team to play against high profile clubs and also clubs of the appropriate level. We provide teams with a fantastic fundraiser. Past participants have raise $1,500+ towards the cost of their trip. (More information found here) Top quality tours customized to your team’s needs. More reasons to travel with WorldStrides Excel Sports found here
For more information regarding WorldStrides Excel Sports please visit our website at www.eurosoccertours.net or www.worldstrides.com/excel If you are interested in planning an international soccer trip with your team, please contact Eric McAleer at eric@excelsports.net or Daniel Dicce at danieldicce@excelsports.net or call 410 489 2287.
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