Velocity Football’s female players had the matchday experience of a lifetime when playing Gibraltar U18s at the region’s world-famous Victoria Stadium.
The 5,000-capacity venue played host to a friendly which formed part of the educational academy’s end-of-year tour to Marbella. Velocity won the fixture 5-1 and incorporated the match with daily training sessions and some much-deserved social time.
Activities served as a platform to further strengthen the strong bonds players had established both on and off the pitch before the new academic year begins at the start of September.
Aliyah Anthony, Head of Velocity Football’s female programme, said the programme’s inaugural trip abroad was a huge success and added to players’ enthusiasm for the new year.
“It was a really worthwhile trip for the girls,” said Aliyah. “The atmosphere through the week was fantastic and players were able to train, socialise and play competitively in an environment entirely different to what they’re used to.
“There was a real buzz after we won our match in Gibraltar, and it delivered the professional experience which we talk about a lot at Velocity.
“The tour certainly helped develop stronger, better, players ahead of the new academic year while strengthening the existing relationships they hold on and off the pitch.”
Launched in August 2020, Velocity Football is a full-time educational academy based at Oxford City FC in Marston for post-GCSE students aged 16-23 with aspirations to fulfil a career in sport.
The academy blends education with training and competitive fixtures and offers apprenticeship, BTEC and alternative provision programmes in addition to school placements.
Aliyah has been a coach on the programme since it launched three years ago and said delivery is going from strength to strength.
“This is an exciting time of year and we’re looking forward to getting the girls back into action ready for our first fixtures,” said Aliyah. “We’ll be focusing on continuing to develop the pathway from Velocity to the development squad and first-team.
“The female programme is a real success story and underlines how much demand for the women’s game has grown in recent years and the opportunities available to females across the sports sector.”
Further information about Velocity Football and its educational programme is available via www.velocityfootball.co.uk.
