Players from JD Club NI’s 2003 and 2004 age groups are heading to Spain this weekend for warm weather training.
The two-week training camp for the Under-16 and U15 players in the Irish FA’s elite player development programme will form a key part of preparations for an upcoming UEFA U16 development tournament in Bulgaria and the Rotterdam Cup in the Netherlands.
The trip to Oliva Nova in Valencia has been organised as part of Erasmus, the EU’s programme for education, training, youth and sport.
Jim Magilton, the Irish FA’s Elite Performance Director, said: “The two weeks will provide a valuable opportunity for our coaches to work with the groups and to give them an insight into life as a professional player.”
Both age groups will be playing matches in Spain as part of the trip. Youth teams from La Liga sides Valencia and Levante will be among the opposition.
Magilton, who has chosen a 32-strong panel for the training camp, added: “The Erasmus trip offers the chance to visit another country, enjoy the cultural experience, learn about a different style of play and also to play against top class foreign opposition.”
He stressed that the players will be required to continue their academic studies each day for exams this summer.
Image: Northern Ireland U16 Schoolboys player Charlie Allen, seen here in action against Australia Schoolboys last month, will be among the JD Club NI players at the two-week training camp in Spain.
