Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 embarked on an exhilarating three‑day adventure to the Midlands for a football tour packed with history, high‑level training and unforgettable memories. The trip began with a journey to the iconic home of Nottingham Forest, City Ground – a stadium steeped in football heritage. Students explored the grounds where historic innovations such as goal nets and corner flags first became part of the beautiful game. Their tour guide, a humble lifelong supporter now in his 48th season working with the club, captivated everyone with personal stories that brought decades of football culture to life.
Day two was all about hard work, determination and elite‑level training at the world‑renowned St George’s Park, the official training base for England’s national football teams. Students kicked off the day with a high‑energy gym session, testing hamstring strength, vertical jump height and cycling power on watt bikes, before braving a challenging circuit designed to build leg and core strength.
Next came a fast‑paced futsal session, where players honed their agility, speed and close‑control ball skills in a dynamic indoor environment. To round off the athletic intensity, students were treated to a professional‑style hydrotherapy experience, alternating between hot and cold pools to support muscle recovery – an exciting insight into the recovery routines used by top athletes.
The evening brought match day drama under the lights in Ashbourne, where our team faced Winshill FC. In a gripping contest, our students triumphed with a thrilling 4–3 victory. Yu set the tone with the opening goal, Frankie reignited momentum with two crucial strikes before half‑time, and Amir sealed the win with a composed finish following a superb counterattack in the dying moments. The celebrations were electric!
On the final day, students enjoyed a well‑deserved break with a fun and lively bowling session.
It was one last chance to unwind, laugh and reflect on an incredible experience – before heading home with new skills, new memories and a deeper love for the game.
Thank you all for making this such an unforgettable experience!
