During the 2015 Easter Holidays, over 150 players, parents and coaches from the Coerver® Coaching UK Performance Academy programme travelled to the Spanish Capital in order to take part in a once in a lifetime PRO Tour at the World’s Biggest Football Club, Real Madrid CF.
Following the previously successful PRO Tours to adidas® Partner Clubs, Ajax FC in 2014 and AC Milan in 2013, 60 players aged between 7-15 years old and their families from the Performance Academy programmes in the West Midlands and West London were able to train at the world famous Ciudad Real Madrid in Valdebebas.
Upon arrival in Madrid, the tour party sat down together for dinner in preparation for the exciting itinerary that lay ahead which was presented by Coerver® UK Director, Scott Wright in the hotel conference room.
An early start to the second day of the PRO Tour saw the players, parents and coaches make the short journey from the hotel to Valdebebas in order to take in the training facilities.
Players participated in two training sessions throughout the day and enjoyed a guided tour around one of the best sports training facilities in the world. Following the return to the hotel, and a chance to freshen up, the tour party then took the opportunity to travel into Madrid City Centre to absorb some of the attractions of one of the most iconic cities in the world.
On day three of the Coerver® UK PRO Tour, the excited party made their way to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for what promised to be a goal-fest against Granada CF. What turned out to be a record-breaking victory for the club resulting in a 9-1 win, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring five goals, is something nobody could have expected, and something that made the whole experience even more special.
Following the witnessing of such an iconic game, the players then traveled back to Valdebebas where they were kitted out in the latest Real Madrid CF training kit for two more training sessions with Real Madrid CF coaching staff.
To top off an unforgettable weekend, the players, parents and coaches were then able to take a behind the scenes tour of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, where they were able to go pitchside to re-live the experience of the previous days La Liga game. The players managed to sit in the dugout at the world famous stadium in addition to visit the extraordinary museum at the ground which is home the famous “La Decima” UEFA Champions League winning trophy from the 2013/2014 season.
Coerver® Coaching UK Director Scott Wright summed up the trip “The main purpose of our PRO Tour is to provide an opportunity for all of the young players in our programme to experience the environment at the world’s leading adidas partner football clubs. Here in Madrid, our players have had the opportunity to work with Real Madrid coaching staff who delivered sessions from the club’s coaching syllabus”.
“These sessions have been delivered at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas, which is home to all Real Madrid teams and is without doubt one of the top facilities in any sport globally so you can imagine the positive impact that being in such a high performance environment has had on our young players, both on and off the pitch”.
“In addition to the training sessions, being able to go to a Real Madrid first team game in the Bernabéu stadium is something that will never be forgotten especially with the incredible performance and result against Granada”.
Scott added “Having the opportunity to visit somewhere like Madrid, the culture, the food, the history. It’s all part of their learning process as they develop as young players but also as young people, which is a massively important thing for us at Coerver Coaching”.
“Our PRO Tour experience is exclusively available to members of our Performance Academy Programme. This opportunity to come here as a young player, as a parent or even as a brother or sister, as we’ve had on this trip, to experience Real Madrid, we’ve provided an opportunity that our group will never forget for the rest of their lives”.
“We are already busy planning for 2016 and are working with our global Partner adidas to ensure that our PRO tour next year is of the same magnitude as this latest visit to Madrid”.
PRO Tour Attendee Feedback:
“The PRO Tour to Real Madrid was an absolutely fantastic experience for both me, and my son Charlie. It was extremely well organised. We always knew where we had to be, what time we needed to be there and what we were doing once we were there. There was always a member of staff on hand, or nearby, to help out or answer any questions we had”.
“Thank you all for a wonderful trip, here’s to next years!”.
Jason Adams
Performance Academy Parent
“For me as a parent it’s been great because it gives the opportunity for the kids to come away inspired, you try to do it yourself and you can watch them on the TV, and you can talk about Ronaldo and Bale, but to see the game live and experience the set-up within the academy, the philosophy, he’ll remember it forever”.
Steve Powell
Performance Academy Parent
“This was the best Easter ever! The hotel had everything needed to make it the perfect stay. The coerver staff were all very helpful and accommodating with any questions. The hotel staff were very pleasant and nothing was any trouble”.
“The food morning and night was 100% delicious and the packed lunches provided, contained enough variety to suit all. The training facilities for the children was outstanding and the academy staff interacted with the children as if they belonged to the academy”.
“And with seeing Real Madrid perform as they did…absolutely could not have asked for a better experience. It was a trip that will carry memories into the future for a long time, roll on Easter 2016!”.
Ruth Khan
Performance Academy Parent
“Just want to say a HUGE thanks to the whole Coerver team for a fantastic tour to Madrid. What an amazing experience for not only my 2 sons but for their mum and dad too!”.
“Congratulations on a brilliantly organised trip. So very impressed by everything from start to finish, thank you Coerver team!”.
Sam and Stuart Burnett
Performance Academy Parents
“Just a big thank you for the trip to Real Madrid, it met all of our expectations so well done to you and your team. The organisation of the tour was exceptional, looking forward to the next one!”.
Dean Wragg
Performance Academy Parent
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience to be here, not many people get to come here and train here. We’ve learnt so many things. It’s been a great experience”.
Shay Nicholson
Performance Academy Player
“Its been an amazing experience. I’ve been able to train with the Real Madrid coaches, I’ve also been able to watch the game where Real Madrid thrashed Grenada 9-1 and I have learnt lots of stuff to improve my game”.
Max Martin
Performance Academy Player
Coerver® Coaching UK filmed the 2015 PRO Tour to Real Madrid CF, the video will be released on our website and social media platforms this Friday 8th May 2015.