St Andrew’s pupils head for Sweden to represent SE England
Many congratulations to Tom (U13), Theo (U12) and Ethan (U11) who will represent St Andrew’s Prep and SE England Prep schools when they play in the Prep Schools’ Pumas teams at the Gothia World Youth Cup in Sweden this July. The Gothia Cup is the world’s largest and most international youth football tournament and attracts teams from 90 countries around the globe. The event includes an Opening Ceremony at the Ullevi Stadium, near Gothenburg, which attracts more than 52,000 spectators and international soccer participants. Initially, teams compete in group games before the winners progress to the final knockout stage.
Competing against approximately 80 boys in each age group – many of whom play in football academies at clubs such as Brighton and Crystal Palace – the St Andrew’s boys were selected for the all-important A squad/Development squad to seal their place on the plane to the land of the midnight sun.
To prepare for the amazing event, Tom, Theo and Ethan attended a residential training camp at Mill Hill school over Easter. The boys loved the experience which was run by UEFA qualified coaches who were supported by physiotherapists and they attended lectures on health and nutrition as well as mental strength.
