Over the Easter break 18 CAVC Football Academy learners had a once in a lifetime experience to sample what life is like for a professional footballer within one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The unique educational visit, funded through Erasmus, saw the learners spend ten days on a European work placement at Benfica FC in Lisbon, Portugal. During the visit they experienced life as a professional footballer, learnt how a professional club operates, experienced the culture of the region visiting sites across the capital city, and worked with others from across the world.
The visit also enabled the learners to experience training sessions at this top-class facility and play in four fixtures against players from other countries – putting in excellent performances, with two wins, one draw and one loss.
The group worked well together, with others during the work placement and represented the college brilliantly.
CAVC Head of Football Lee Kendall said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for 18 of our Football Academy players to live and work like a professional football player and see how a professional club operates. The learners showed togetherness and worked well as a group, and the experience also provided an opportunity for them to enhance their social skills, not only within their own group but with meeting new people from different countries.
“The learners also had guided tours of Lisbon to learn about the culture of the city and they watched a Premier League match, Sporting Lisbon vs Santa Clara.
“The trip was a huge success and a number of parents contacted the College to thank staff for the experience.”
Following that a group of female learners studying CAVC provision with Cardiff City FC Community Foundation have also visited and represented CAVC.
Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James said: “At CAVC we strongly believe that provide real life learning experiences in order to create skilled and employable people – realistic environments are simply not enough. They have to be real.
“This work placement at Benfica FC is an excellent example of giving our learners a taste of what life is life working at a professional club, which will help them gain an understanding of careers in the sport that they love. It is also a fantastic opportunity to experience other cultures and to learn from them.”