Feltonfleet at the Gothia World Youth Cup

Back to News

Congratulations to the six Feltonfleet boys who were selected to play in football’s Gothia Cup – The World Youth Cup.  The event is held every year in Sweden and is the largest and most international youth soccer tournament in the world. Proud parent, Karen Prottey, accompanied the boys on their trip and sent us this report.

 

Over the summer, six Feltonfleet pupils travelled to Gothenburg in Sweden to compete in the Gothia World Youth Cup.  Jack P, Zac R, Johnny W, Charlie R, Lorcan M and Sam L were selected for the U12, U13 and U14 South of England Representative Football Teams, known as the Prep Schools’ Lions.

1,731 teams from 78 countries took part in the tournament, making the Gothia World Youth Cup the world’s biggest youth event (larger than the Commonwealth Games).

The week started with a colourful and spectacular Opening Ceremony, with 56,000 people packed into the famous Ullevi Stadium.  The highlight for the boys was representing England; parading around the pitch behind the St George’s flag.

The football itself was of a very high standard and extremely competitive, with many of the teams coming from professional academies.  Each of the Prep Schools teams was managed by an experienced coach and a physiotherapist, who the boys had first worked with at a three-day residential training camp they attended during the Easter break. 

It was such a wonderful experience for the boys - gaining an insight into professional sport and the global popularity of football and importantly making lots of new friends.  

 

We are extremely proud of all six boys and we look forward to sending more Feltonfleet pupils to the event in 2019.