FOOTBALL
The teacher in charge of soccer, Mr Fallon, and the Head of Sixth Form, Mr Kearney, who assists the running of the first XI, took 18 players to Valencia during the last week of August. Based at a 4-star Hotel on the outskirts of Valencia the squad trained for four hours each day with coaches from Valencia Football Club.
During their stay the team played three matches against Spanish U18 clubs all of whom were affiliated to the Valencia Academy. The first two games were both won 2-0 and in the final game, played in the middle of the day with a temperature of 42 degrees, St Bede’s lost 2-1 and, to add to their chagrin, what looked like a last minute equaliser was ruled out for offside.
Nonetheless, the team made an extremely favourable impression amongst the footballing cognoscenti in Valencia, so much so that the U18 academy coach at nearby Villa Real has invited this current First XI squad to participate in Villa Real’s prestigious U18 tournament next July. With the exception of St Bede’s, all the other entries will come from professional clubs in Spain, Portugal and France.
RUGBY
The Rugby squad, accompanied by Mr Lalley, Mr Rafferty and Mr O’Donnell, trained at Plas Menai outdoor pursuits centre in Caernarfon, North Wales. Quite apart from learning new skills and sampling new activities, the objective was to help integrate the new Upper 5th and Lower 6th students into the 1st and 2nd team squads
During a most enjoyable weekend the rugby players and their coaches participated in catamara sailing, high speed powerboat handling, sea kayaking and windsurfing.
As always happens when a St Bede’s party is away, the rugby players and their teachers went into Bethesda to a vigil Mass on Saturday evening. Similarly, the foorballers in Spain attended Sunday morning Mass at the magnificent Valencia Cathedral.