The Senior Squad

30 students from Years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form, together with four members of staff, left Stansted (in the heavy snow!) on 6th April to fly to the bright sunshine at La Manga for a five day football training tour at the start of the Easter holiday.

The Junior Squad

La Manga Club resort hosts training camps for England, Chelsea, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Barcelona, to name but a few - and if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for Bethany!

Senior squad match against SC Esperanza

The players acquitted themselves extremely well and can be proud of their performances which deserved to yield more than they eventually did against some very tough opposition.  The Senior squad played SC Esperanza, a local club.  With 20 minutes remaining Bethany found themselves 6-2 down but a tremendous goal from George Curtis spurred the team on to a narrow 6-5 defeat.

The Junior squad played against a Cartagena District Select team but unfortunately the game was a total mismatch as the opponents were from two age groups higher.  To the team's credit they only succumbed 7-0 to Cartagena and although they were disappointed, should have no shame in their performance.

Team training was led by Cyril Davies (a Chelsea FC Academy coach) and David Paine and was aimed, on different days, at improving players' technique, positional sense, movement, awareness, shooting and formation shape.  The boys trained with enthusiasm and energy, despite the high temperatures on some days.

Staff vs Upper Sixth bowls competition

There were plenty of leisure activities at La Manga, swimming and (especially for Mr Khan) sauna proved to be popular.  Some of the Year 11's got in a couple of rounds of golf but the main event was the staff versus Year 13's crown green bowls competition, which the staff won but only by raising their game!

'No Paine No Gain'

Everyone had a fabulous time - the resort was magnificent with fantastic facilities and some invaluable training which all the players benefitted from immensely.  Many thanks to Mr Paine, Mr Khan, Mr Vickerman and Mr Davies and roll on next year's tour!

Looking forward to next year's tour!