Pool Academy students seal Barcelona win on tour

Twenty-two students from Pool Academy have swapped a Cornish pitch for a Spanish one, and come home with a scoreline most school teams would be proud of.

The group spent five days in and around Barcelona on the academy’s annual football development tour, mixing competitive fixtures and training with a run of cultural visits, before finishing with a guided tour of the city itself.

A 5-0 win to open the tour

Training took place over two sessions at a football facility in Salou, giving the group a base to work from before they took on local opposition. The boys’ team made the most of it, coming away with a convincing 5-0 win against their Spanish counterparts.

The result gave the students, based at the school in Pool near Redruth, the chance to test themselves against unfamiliar opposition in a genuinely international setting, a step up from a normal weekend fixture back home.

The girls hold their own

The girls’ team had their own test against local opposition and came away with a hard-fought 2-2 draw. It was another chance to measure themselves against a different style of football, and the result reflected a tightly contested game on both sides.

Sun, swimming pools and PortAventura

Football was only part of the trip. Away from the pitch, students spent time at the beach and the swimming pool, and took a full day out at PortAventura World, the theme park on Spain’s Costa Dorada.

The mix of competitive football and downtime was central to the tour, giving students the chance to bond as a group away from school as well as compete against it.

A day in Barcelona, and a stop at the Nou Camp

The tour closed with a guided tour of Barcelona, taking in the city’s landmarks before a visit to the Nou Camp itself. The stadium is currently undergoing redevelopment, but students still got an immersive tour and the chance to experience one of football’s most recognisable venues up close.

Already looking ahead to Madrid

Plans are already under way for next year’s football development tour, which will take Pool Academy students to Madrid, including a visit to Real Madrid.

Nick Ward, Principal at Pool Academy, said trips like this gave students the chance to experience something memorable while developing skills both on and off the pitch.

“They certainly made the most of the opportunity, and we are very proud of the way they represented the academy throughout,” he said. “It was fantastic to see students supporting each other, embracing new experiences and enjoying every part of the tour.”