Albion SC BU17 Return From Successful PUMA-Sponsored Trip to Newcastle, England
A trip of a lifetime, an experience to remember forever – amazing days for Albion Soccer Club’s Elite BU17 team in England at Newcastle United.
On September 1, 2013, the Albion SC Boys U17 White team, coached by Technical Director Noah Gins, won the highly competitive Disney Showcase PUMA Elite Division with an amazing 5-0 win over La Roca FC 97 Premier. That victory also earned the team an all expense paid trip to Newcastle, England, to train with Newcastle United of the English Premier League (EPL).
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From December 9-15 Albion players and coaches rubbed shoulders with members of one of the top teams in England.
“Having the opportunity to travel to Newcastle was amazing,” said Gins after returning to San Diego. “The boys had a chance to train with and play against Newcastle’s U18 Academy team and take in a match between Newcastle United and Southampton.’
“Our Albion players were also able to watch the first team train at Newcastle United. It was an amazing experience.”
“Coach Wayne Crowe and I were able to work with the Newcastle United Academy staff and learn from them,” said Gins.
In October the Albion GU16/17 USA team, coached by Noah Kooiman, participated in a similar trip after they, too, won top honors at the Disney Showcase. The team had the chance to train with Swedish professional team Umea, as well as take in the culture of Sweden.
The 2013 Sweden and England trips marked the third and fourth international trips Albion has taken through PUMA, a club sponsor.
“Without the relationship we have with PUMA, we would not have the opportunities that we have on these trips,” explained Gins. “PUMA gives us behind-the-scenes access that is unmatched.”
During the trip the boys had the chance to work out with the Academy and to show just how much American soccer has developed. Dave Watson, the U18 Academy head coach, even ran a session for the Albion team.
“The boys performed and represented the club and the U.S. at a very high level and got nothing but praise from the staff and people they interacted with,” a proud Gins said.
The boys were not the only ones to benefit from the trip. Gins and Crowe had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of both the Academy and first team coaching staffs, including Newcastle United head coach Allan Pardew.
“The insight we gained from in-depth discussions and seeing the internal workings of Newcastle was a great take away for us as a staff,” Gins said.
“We are going to be sharing what we learned with the rest of the Albion staff over the coming weeks and months.”
Soccer is the world’s favorite sport and traveling as a youth soccer player to train with an EPL club offers a memorable experience that not only broadens the individuals’ horizons but provides real insights into the life of being a professional, world class soccer player.
Albion SC has supported international soccer travel for years and is dedicated to providing a high level of player development.
Related Articles: Albion SC on SoccerNation“It was a great opportunity for the boys, as well as for Wayne and myself,” Gins added. “This will be a trip that we all remember for a lifetime.”
