Playing La Liga academies, visiting La Liga stadiums, watching Barcelona play Real Madrid and Ballon d’Or winners, learning training habits and getting to go across the world to explore another country.
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This was what 12 Deniliquin junior soccer players experienced in the past few weeks after a world-class, nine-day experience in Spain.
The players, some of their parents and Strike Force Academy coach Diego Sztejman made the 24-hour trip to Spain from Melbourne on November 9.
For many of the players aged between 10 and 15, it was their first trip overseas.
The worldly experience for the Deni juniors was hosted at the International Development Academy (IDA) in Valencia.
The trip saw the 12 players introduced to the soccer academy, scheduled to play four games against local Spanish teams’ academies, including a top-flight La Liga team’s academy, Rayo Vallecano.
Aside from playing and training, it was a chance to experience top-class soccer in Spain and explore and sightsee in some of Spain’s most notable cities including Madrid and Valencia.
Mr Sztejman described the schedule of the days at the academy.
“They wake up, go to breakfast and see kids already training on the field, get their food and eat with the other players like boarding school before training at the facilities,” he said.
The Deni players played on day two against Mas Camarenas, a local team, scoring four goals in the first half and another three in the second, resulting in a 7-0 win for the travelling side.
On the next day the team played a night match against La Vall d’Uixo a Villareal CF affiliated team, with the Deni side winning 7-1.
On day eight, the team played a Rayo Vallecano La Liga academy team, with the final result ending in a 4-all draw.
On their final night, the Deni players went up against Betera CF. Deni won again, 13-0.
Overall the team came away with three wins and one draw.
“We didn’t expect that,” Sztejman said.
“These players had never ever played together as a team, so it was a great result.”
The touring group also had a chance to visit Villareal La Liga stadium, Valencia, Madrid and the Real Madrid stadium.
They saw a women’s La Liga game between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“We got to watch the highest class, which was great, especially having one girl, Pippa, there to acknowledge the quality of the female players.
“It was great, as it was a high scoring game.”
The trip also saw many of the players’ eyes opened to real-world events, as just over a week before arriving in Valencia was the start of the recent Spanish flood disaster, in which there were more than 220 casualties.
Mr Sztejman said while the trip was not affected by the floods, it was important to acknowledge and respect the effect of the disaster when they visited.
“The place we stayed at was in North Valencia, and the floods occurred in South Valencia.
“Every game started with a minute’s silence and the Army also stayed in half of the accommodation space, which was eye-opening for us all about how people gave what they could to help the relief effort and how they moved on also.”
Sztejman said the trip had many generous community sponsors including the Deni RSL Club, Deniliquin Eye Care, House of Smiles Design, Deniliquin Country Club Motor Inn, Deni Golf Resort, Deniliquin Hyundai and Brian McCleary and Co Accountants.
The community also raised money through buying coffees and raffles, and through cash donations.
They were able to raise close to $18,000 to subsidise the cost of the trip.
Sztejman said the money paid for two sets of uniforms to help represent and identify the players in Spain with their New Balance blue and black playing gear, red training gear, transportation, food bought as a group and general expenses.
One donor, who would like to remain anonymous, contributed the cost of the bus back from Melbourne.
Sztejman said the generosity of the sponsors saved each family at least $1000.
Sztejman said the group are looking to do a Recap Night with a slideshow at the Deni RSL next week.
Invitations have been extended to the sponsors and parents of the players, but members of the public are also welcome to attend.
Based on the success of the trip, Sztejman said plans for another trip next year are already under way.
Depending on interest, he said there could be IDA regional selections for Riverina youths, with the potential for training camps and Riverina tournaments.
Ongoing sponsors would be welcomed.