Barry Comprehensive School

Above: The boys in the home team bath at Nou Camp Stadium

After a long hard season in school football for the Year 7 and Year 8 teams, Barry Comprehensive School last week turned their attention away from domestic football, setting out on a European adventure which brought them up against quality French and Spanish opposition - something that few Welsh sides have done in recent years!

The journey began early last Monday and after travelling by bus and plane to their team base situated just outside Barcelona, the group of 39 boys settled into their log cabins and enjoyed the facilities available at the Club Aire Libre resort that included a swimming pool, football pitches, archery and a variety of other activities.

However, the boys quickly realised that this was not a trip where sitting around a swimming pool would be an option and with an early training session on the Tuesday morning followed by archery and an obstacle course, the boys barely had time to draw breath before the coach arrived to transport them across the Spanish-French border to their first fixture in Perpignan.

Before the game the boys took in some French culture by visiting a vine-yard where they learned about the wine making process, although due to them playing shortly after there was only the opportunity to sample non-alcoholic produce!! The games gave the boys an opportunity for an early peek at the continental extravagance that they would be up against during the week and initially the Barry Comprehensive players in both age groups looked in awe of their counterparts, preferring to admire the nice touches and flicks rather than impose themselves on their French hosts. Although both teams played well and had plenty of chances, the travel from the previous day appeared to have taken its toll and the year 8 side were beaten 6-2 with the year 7 team being narrowly defeated 2-1, Sam Adamson winning and then converting a penalty.

Wednesday gave the boys no opportunity to feel sorry for themselves, again the day began with a training session, and due to the boys being tired, this was followed a with a chance for some rest and relaxation in the complex. The evening saw the boys play a second match hosted by local club side FC Tossa. However, although they made the boys very welcome there was a complete mismatch in the sides in terms of age and the result became of little importance. Nevertheless, the boys took the positives from the fixture agreeing that they had learned something playing against an opposition that was bigger physically and showed good skill and ability. The boys took heart from their performance and returned home to watch and learn more about European football on the big screen as Liverpool played Chelsea.

Thursday morning provided the third and final training session which culminated in a fun penalty shoot out – just in case! The rest of the morning was spent in the forest following an orienteering trail that proved to be difficult in the rising heat. However, the forty budding Indiana Jones' completed the difficult trail and looked forward to a healthy lunchtime feast! The afternoon saw a couple of hours free time before leaving for the games against more Spanish opposition.

In the last games it was decided that the boys would be split into three mixed teams. The first team played against Bel Lloc School and started off very brightly, however as the game wore on, the heat began to take its toll on the Barry Comprehensive side and although Nathan McCarthy played his heart out before having to leave the field injured the score was 4-1. The second game saw the first victory of the tour as Barry Comprehensive came up against FC Girona. Captained by Tom Parsons the boys ripped into their Spanish opponents and dominated possession and overall play scoring five goals (Lee Baldock 2, Ryan Boyles, Rhys Collier,) and conceded only a solitary consolation goal. The ultimate game of the tour was against another team from FC Girona and although the boys huffed and puffed they could simply not get past a goalkeeper who seemed to having the game of his life. Despite Barry Comprehensive striking the post and bar on several occasions the game eventually ended 0-0.

The final day saw the group being given the treat that they had all been waiting for – a trip to the Nou Camp, home of Barcelona FC. The boys managed to get into the dugouts, sit in the commentary box, get into the interview area, see the trophy room and museum as well as having the chance to hold the European Cup!

After the Nou Camp it was straight back on to the bus and into the airport before beginning the long trip back to Barry, where we arrived at 2am tired but happy, our European adventure over for at least a year. Now the boys will just have to concentrate on the domestic competition and bring a memorable season to a close with some silverware…

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