Thirty-four pupils and four staff (Mr Robinson, Mr Barkley, Mr Lamb and Mrs Hewitson) from our three schools (Astley High School, Whytrig Middle School and Seaton Sluice Middle School) left bright and early for the Seaton Valley Federation Football Tour to Valencia in Spain over Easter. The trip finally got going after 3 years in the planning and several deferrals because of Covid-19.
Everyone met at 6am at Newcastle Airport for their RyanAir flight to Alicante and then a 3 hour coach journey to Valencia. After managing to navigate security and immigration at Newcastle and Alicante airports (passports, Covid-19 recovery passports, vaccination passports, PCR tests et al), the group finally arrived in Valencia and with our hosts Valencia CF and Inspire Sports.
The trip consisted of a lot of football - daily football sessions with the excellent Valencia CF coaches at the Valencia CF academy, only a 5 minute walk from our hotel; fixtures against local football clubs and a tour of the majestic Mestalla Stadium, home of Valencia CF.
Pupils also had the opportunity to visit Valencia beach - it rained; a visit to Valencia Aquarium, the 2nd largest in the world - it rained again and also an evening's entertainment at a local 10pin bowling/arcade centre where we had an excellent meal.
An exhausted group returned at Newcastle airport after 5 days and 4 nights away from their families after an excellent trip (apart from the rain!)
A huge thankyou to those who helped organise the trip and to the staff and students who made it such a great trip.
Look out for more exciting opportunities from Seaton Valley Federation Football.