PLAYING against some of England’s largest soccer clubs and a guided tour through English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs state-of-the-art facilities awaits 15 young South West soccer players.
The tours are part of a “trip of a lifetime” organised for the players by Football Federation South West.
Professional games, training and recovery sessions will be part of the journey.
FFSW technical director Jack Eades said the trip was unprecedented.
“People in capital cities all around the world don’t get presented with opportunities like these, and we’ve managed to organise it for locals,” he said.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the South West and will attract more people to the sport now that they know trips like this are available.”
The 15 players form an under 15s squad, picked from training centres in Bunbury and Busselton.
Eades said the trip would expose the players to a more fanatic form of the game.
“People in England live and breathe soccer – more people go to their local games than church,” he said.
“Our boys usually only play for a term at school or play it as a second or third sport.
“Some of the lads have never left the country, so it will be a brilliant experience for them.”
Eades said the highlight will be a tour through Tottenham’s facilities.
“It (Tottenham) is recognised as one of the best centres in Europe,” he said.
“It includes a covered artificial pitch, world-class player preparation areas, pool and hydrotherapy complex, altitude room, large-scale gymnasium and specialist sports rehabilitation suites.
“This alone is a once in a lifetime chance for any player across the world, let alone the South West.”
Eades said the players were “jumping out of their skin” with excitement.
“The lads are really pumped and we’re just trying to keep them calm and focussed,” he said.
“As far as football trips go, you couldn’t do anything bigger or better than this.
“It’s going to show them what it takes to become a professional.”
The players will be accompanied by coaches Stuart Farmer and Peter McClurg.
The team will fly out in May.