Last week, our Year Nine Soccer Academy students had an unforgettable day at the Melbourne City Football Academy at Casey Fields. The day kicked off with an overview of what was expected, setting the tone for a day. The boys were then treated to an insightful speech from the coaches, who shared what the club represents and the values it upholds.
Following this, the boys hit the pitch for a training session, where they got hands-on experience with drills and techniques. After their own session, they had the privilege of watching the senior men’s team train, including the opportunity to see national Socceroos players Mathew Leckie, Aziz Behich, and Marco Tilio in action. This gave the boys valuable insights into the professional level of play. The head coach, Aurelio Vidmar, then took the time to speak with them, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes—a lesson that resonated deeply with everyone.
After lunch, the moment of anticipation arrived as the captains for the upcoming Blue Ribbon Cup game were announced, with Muhammad Al Amary named as captain and Elias Akbar as vice-captain. To cap off an already incredible day, the signed team kit was awarded to Salman Akbar for displaying excellence on and off the pitch throughout the day, a generous gesture that left him beaming with pride.
The day concluded with high praise from our bus driver, who commended the boys for their excellent manners. Overall, the excursion was a tremendous success, leaving the boys motivated and eager for their next challenge – The Blue Ribbon Cup. A huge thank you goes out to the coaches, players, and staff at Melbourne City for making this experience so memorable for the students.