Posted December 23, 2015

As talk of summer football continues to raise its head at this particular time of the year, Cowdenbeath FC have been proactive in securing funding to allow their U20s squad to travel to Portugal for a winter training camp.  Thus escaping the normal wintry conditions in Fife.

 

The U20s squad will be based at Vilamoura in the Algarve from Jan 5 to Jan 16 and hopefully can take advantage of warmer climes, where the temperature can be as high as 20 degrees celsius at that time of year. The funding for the trip was secured through a European Union Project entitled Erasmus+. Erasmus+ allows successful applicants to train in their given profession for a period of time in another European country. Many Scottish clubs have participated in similar schemes in the past, using the funding to take their youth squad away to a warm weather climate in darkest January.

 

Staying at  Browns Sports and Leisure Club, the squad will train twice a day giving them the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a full time footballer. In addition to training sessions the squad hope to play 2 games against local opposition.

 

U20’s coach Brian Nelson commented,

‘This is a great opportunity for the boys and one that I hope will serve them well in their ongoing development. To their credit some of them have had to take time off work in order to participate, but they can see the benefits of doing so. As the U20s Development League programme takes a short break over the coming weeks, it gives us the chance to work on a lot of things on the training pitch in preparation for the second half of the season. Hopefully some blue skies will lift their spirits and allow them to work on fitness and technique away from the heavy rain and winds we get in Scotland at this time of the year.’

 

Prior to departing for Portugal, the players are required by the funding agency to practice and try to learn some basic Portugese words and phrases. In addition they have had a short presentation on Portugese history and culture. On their return, the players are required to complete a questionnaire regarding their experience.