Kicking About in Porto: Half Term Football Tour Fun

An early start saw the students set off for Luton Airport to take a flight to Porto for their first day of a five day football tour on Saturday 10^th February. Once safely landed they were greeted by their rep, John, and a heavy rain storm. After arriving at the hotel, they headed off to their first training session that was held at FC Nuvez.

The students were introduced to their coaches before an intense and insightful 90-minute training session working on reaction time and recovery. The group then headed back to the hotel for dinner before departing to  watch Boavista v Estoril in which Boavista won 2-1. The group then returned to the hotel for a well-deserved sleep ready for a busy few days ahead.

Day two started with breakfast at the hotel before travelling to the University Da Maia Umaia, the sports university, for their second training session. This session had different objectives to the first; looking at duration, keeping players wide and a variety of passes. The students then headed to lunch at an ‘all you can eat’ buffet before heading to their first matches of the tour. The older students played first with the younger students following, in competitive games of determination. The day was far from over after the matches however, bowling was up next with dinner before lights out.

Day three saw an earlier start for the students and after breakfast they headed off to Associacao Desportiv De Grijo for their third training session. Due to a series of matches already being played and more to come, the session was heavily based on recovery with lots of mini recovery games such as football tennis, tic tac toe and one bounce basketball football.

Three matches filled the afternoon; U14/13, U15/U14 and finally a mixed U15/U14/U13 match. The U14/13 match was first and after a goalless first half the team put in a fantastic second half performance pressing high up the pitch. Yezen (Year 8) scored all four goals in a wonderful individual performance. The final score finished 4-1 to LP. The U15/U14 team were up next in what proved to be another even game. The final match of the tour saw a mixed game between selected players and proved to be intense for the team.

Day four saw a less intense day in terms of training and playing matches but was an opportunity for students to discover the history of FC Porto. The students started the day by having a stadium tour of Estadio do Dragao, which is the home of the famous club. They were also able to have their photo taken pitch side, sit in the dug outs, as well as sampling the media room, away changing rooms and the executive boxes.

After the stadium tour, students then went into the Museum of FC Porto to view all the trophies and major wins that the club have had over its 100-year history. A visit the club shop followed before having lunch in one of the executive boxes. Students then had a couple of hours free time in a local shopping centre before heading to their final training session, which was held at one of the main Dragon Force FC Porto hubs.

The training session finished with the senior students playing the younger students, with some of the coaches joining in on the action. Presentation of certificates were then awarded and the students then represented the coaches with a small gift in thanks. Finally, Yezen (Year 8) and Rhys (Year 10) were proudly presented an FC Porto boot bag for their incredible performances and hard work across the tour. An intense week of training, matches and football history proved a fabulous way to spend the half term.