48 boys and girls, who all train at City Football Schools in Abu Dhabi, recently spent five days at the club’s Etihad Campus where they were trained by the professional coaches.
They even had the opportunity to play on the famous Etihad Stadium pitch and were put through their paces in the press conference room.
During their action-packed visit, they welcomed first-team players onto the pitch before watching City triumph 2-1 against Burnley.
Qaiser Giles, a ten-year-old player from Abu Dhabi who travelled to Manchester, said: “Everything about the trip was amazing.
“From practicing at the academy, being able to try out the facilities, to watching the top players on the pitch, you really get to experience how professional Manchester City players are developed and make it to the top.
“Practicing and training with the coaches each day was great, I can now imagine doing that all my life and I didn’t even mind the English weather!”
City Football Schools have been taking place in Abu Dhabi for more than four years with sessions held at Zayed Sports City, New York University Saadiyat Campus and the newly-added Emirates Palace location.
Manchester City players arrive before kick-off.
Qaiser’s father Francisco Giles went to Manchester with his son and added: “The experience was fantastic and it was a privilege to be able to see first-hand what amazing facilities Manchester City have. The trip really brought all the different squads together. To watch them learn, interact and fulfill their passion for football was so pleasing to see and to watch my son enjoy each and every experience was a delight.”
City Football Schools gives the younger generation in Abu Dhabi an opportunity to improve their football skills, stay healthy, make friends and have lots of fun in a positive and friendly learning environment.
Simon Hewitt, City Football Schools Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this experience to our City Football School footballers as they get first-hand experience of what it’s like to be a professional football player at Manchester City.
“It’s undoubtedly one of the best learning experiences they can get and it’s wonderful to see how this trip has inspired them all.”
To find out more information on City Football Schools and their training programmes please visit http://www.cityfootballschools
