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MORE than 135 young soccer players will be flying from Bahrain to London this month to compete in an international school soccer festival.
Representing Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain, the contingent is made up of around 20 different nationalities, although the majority are Bahraini.
They will be taking part in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival which is staged over nine days at the University of London in Egham, just outside London, from July 22-31.
It’s the third time the Bahrain boys and girls have been represented at the event and, compared to last year, more than double the number will be making the trip. Paul Shipwright, the soccer school’s director, who lives in Saar, said: “The festival is great for all the players competing as it gives them exposure to many different playing styles which they would not experience on a small island like Bahrain.
“It is always good to play in a competitive environment to test your skills and abilities, and as they will be staying on campus with many teams from around the world, socially they will interact with children from different cultures and background.
“We were not surprised that players wished to attend this year because all of those who went loved the event last year. Many wanted to return and told their friends about it. Even new players who joined this season asked about the London trip at registration intending to join in. However, the surprise was the scale – we did not think that we would double last year’s number!
“For some of our players it will be the first time that they have played in an 11-a-side tournament as everybody who wanted to attend has been able to do so.
“The ASSB coaches will be trying to recreate an experience as close to being a professional football player as possible, for example, training sessions and games every day, a proper footballer’s diet and team tactics.”
The trip will also provide them with valuable memories such as a tour of Wembley Stadium and a visit to The Emirates Stadium, the home of the English Premiership giants, to watch the Emirates Cup featuring Arsenal, Paris St Germaine, New York Red Bulls and Boca Juniors this year.
In total there will be 137 players representing Arsenal School Bahrain at the festival with 105 boys between the ages 11-18, 12 ladies, as well as 20 under-10s who will be joining the party to play in their own special half-day tournament.
The Arsenal International Soccer Festival involves football teams from all over the world with 42 teams playing in the seven-a-side events – including three from Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain and one expat team from Dubai as well as 79 involved in the 11-a-side events, including eight from Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain, which is also helping to prepare and take a side from Saudi Arabia. There will be a coach and a team manager for each team, plus an overall group leader.
