For the second year in a row, the Australian academy Soccer by Design decided to come to Valencia to experience a sports clinic with SIA Academy. They traveled 15,869 kilometers from Australia to Spain to live some unforgettable and extremely enriching days.
There were 9 days in which they had time for all kinds of activities, mainly sports and training, but also cultural, fun and a bit of tourism. In addition to building new friendships with boys and girls from many parts of the world that will allow them to have a much more global view.
How was the Australian delegation composed?
A group of 20 people had the opportunity to spend the days in our Academy, of which 17 were players of different ages between 12 and 18 years old and 3 coaches in charge of all logistical and sporting aspects during the trip.
To thank and mention each of them for their willingness, discipline and behavior: players Xavier Lucas, Bailey Avis, Cooper Lamb, Oliver Edgar, Lucas Bouzoudis, William Van Wyk, Harley Bridle, Lachlan Hearn, Brodie Raplh, Jake Robinson, George Terr, Danilo Zivkovic, Oliver Devorsey, Matt Quintel, Ashley Robinson, Andrija Zivkovic, Vasilije Zivkovic; coaches Lewis Bride, Mitch Nicholson and Chris Avis.
What were their goals at SIA Academy?
Soccer by Design came to our academy with several objectives, but the main one was for both players and coaches to experience firsthand the way soccer is played in Spain, from a technical, tactical and physical point of view, which is definitely different from the way the sport is played in Australia.
With the new concepts and work methodologies acquired, the mission now is to replicate it and take it to Australia so that more young people have it. Also, another objective was to share with other kids from various parts of the world, to have different cultures, ways of seeing the world and even to compete in the world of soccer, something extremely important to continue progressing.
Why did they decide to repeat the experience in our Academy?
After their first experience, they were able to see first-hand the elite quality we have in everything we do and have: our facilities, coaches, training, staff and other elements make SIA Academy one of the academies with the best international reputation.
Additionally, it will always be interesting and exciting to travel to a new country or continent, and Valencia as a city also offers many gastronomic and cultural possibilities, not to mention the good weather and the sea that accompanies it. All in all, a complete experience if you look at it from every possible point of view.
How was the daily routine at SIA Academy?
The day started at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast. Afterwards, the first training session at around 9:00 a.m. lasted an hour and a half, time for snacks and the second practice of the day from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m., then time to rest in the pool and at 1:30 p.m. it was time for lunch.
In the afternoon after lunch a free space and from 15:30 to 17:00 educational activities with classes in nutrition, yoga, psychology, video analysis and others. From 17:00 to 17:30 another snack time to then have the last training of the day until 19:00. Then shower, free time and dinner time between 20:30 and 21:30, ending with the departure to the rooms at 22:30.
What leisure and cultural activities did you do?
In addition to the sports clinic, the group also had time to visit some of Valencia’s emblematic sites. On the one hand, they toured the center of the city, which has beautiful squares, churches and restaurants with many years of history. A walk through the center of Valencia was a must.
A visit to Valencia CF’s Mestalla stadium was a must, as it is the oldest stadium in Spain with more than 100 years of history and home of one of the most important and traditional teams in the country. We could not miss the tour of the impressive Oceanographic, the largest aquarium in Europe that contains countless animals and is in the City of Arts and Sciences, the most world-renowned place in the Valencian city.
What do soccer players think about their experience at SIA Academy?
During their time at SIA Academy, we had the opportunity to talk to some of the Soccer by Design boys. Brodie Raplh highlighted the experience of training and competing with other youngsters from different places: “It’s very good because you can see the levels of kids around the world and that’s why you have to challenge yourself and give your best”.
Meanwhile, Ashley Robinson stated that he will recommend this experience to his teammates in Australia: “I will definitely recommend this experience to my friends in Australia, because it has made me a better person in terms of my personality and a better footballer in all aspects”.
