Under 18s get fantastic opportunity
The Oxford United Youth Team will emulate the senior squad by travelling to Spain for a pre-season tour on Sunday.
The two-week camp will see three fixtures played, including an exciting encounter against Atletico Madrid. It promises to be exciting both on and off the pitch with a host of coaching sessions from elite coaches and various cultural experiences in place for the youth team to enjoy.
The trip is the idea of by the League Football Education (the LFE) and designed to further the education and development of young players across the country. United are one of three clubs to be given the opportunity this summer.
Leon Blackmore-Such, who coaches the under 18s alongside Andy Whing, told us:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the lads and a great thing for the club. We fly out on Sunday and there is a really busy programme for us to work to. It’s partly about the culture surrounding Spanish football and the way they do things in developing young players but there is also a chance to train at some great facilities and to play three big matches.
“Working with clubs like Real Madrid and playing against Atletico and two other Spanish clubs is going to be a massive eye-opener for our players and we can’t wait to get started.”
The squad fly out on 24th July, mixing education and culture with football as they receive language sessions and various presentations by guest speakers. Additionally, a tour of the Football Museum is in place and a stadium tour at the home of Real Madrid. Amongst this the team will regularly integrate with Spanish footballers.
Throughout the first week the squad will receive training sessions from both the club and FA coaches at The City of Football, whilst also receiving a guest coaching session integrated with Spanish players at Alcorcon. Following the stadium tour of the Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday 28th July, a training session is planned which will be held by Real Madrid coaches.
The first of three fixtures will be played on Saturday 30th July, where the youthful U’s will be put to the test by CD Leganés – A Primera Division football team located in the Madrid outskirts. A double training session will be held on the Monday before a fixture against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on Tuesday 2nd August. Wednesday will be a recovery day and will see the squad visit the home of Atletico Madrid before the final fixture of the tour which will be played on Thursday 4th August vs Alcorcon who currently play in the Segunda Division. All fixtures will kick off at 19:15 local time.
The squad will fly home on Friday 5th August.
We will have full coverage of the tour right here.