TRAINING sessions with Sydney FC and Melbourne City and games against leading schools were among the highlights of a soccer development tour for 30 The Armidale School students.
Kicking off in Sydney, the tour commenced with the First XI being defeated by Inaburra School, Bangor, in a CIS knockout match. A training session with Sydney FC followed, before a friendly First XI match against a stronger Cranbrook outfit.
The TAS development squad, made up of players from Years 6-9, had more success against St Paul’s Grammar School, winning 2-1. That evening the TAS students formed the guard of honour at the A-League match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory FC, adorning light blue Sydney FC shirts gifted to them by the club.
It was then off to Melbourne, with the highlight of the trip for the First XI being a 5-3 win over Geelong Grammar, playing on the oval in front of the school’s main building. The development squad took part in a recovery education session, in GGS’ Handbury Wellbeing Centre.
Both teams wrapped up the tour with matches against Melbourne Grammar School, with the development squad securing a 3-2 victory but the Firsts, a defeat. However it was a training session with Melbourne City FC that was the outstanding opportunity of the tour for Thomas Morgan, new to the sport.
“To have an hour of specific goalie training was just incredible. We improved with every game, working how to get space through the midfield and read play - it should set us up well for the season ahead,” he said.
