“The experience of a lifetime” that’s the verdict after Oxford United’s Under 12 and 13s became the first Academy group to fly the flag for the U’s in two prestigious tournaments in Barcelona
37 academy players, along with 8 members of staff, came home on Monday after playing in the FIT Promises Cup and the Carnaval Cup taking on the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Real Betis, Gimnastic de Tarragona and C.E. Premia De Dalt who are the hosts of the tournament.
The U12s played in the FIT Promises Cup while the older age group took part in the Carnaval Cup, reaching the semi-final of the silver plate in a tournament televised across Europe.
“It was a wonderful experience not just for the players but also for the staff” Stevie Kinniburgh, Head of Academy told oufc.co.uk. “In terms of the football, we learned plenty from playing against sides from different nations and the boys can be very proud of the way they played. It was tough with two or three games each day in a very competitive environment but they played really well and it is only going to help their development.
“That’s the same with the whole trip. Being away with their team, building on friendships and helping their teammates is fantastic and I can’t speak highly enough about the organisation, the way the tournament was run or the staff who went out there with the teams.
“Those staff will have learned plenty as well and just to see the name of Oxford United in tournaments like this is can only help the club grow and develop.”