Written by Elizabeth Cady, Rome News-Tribune education reporter, published 9/9/08
Goal! Darlington’s Soccer Academy scored its second
European tour only five years after its inception.
For two weeks over the summer, the Academy traveled from Munich, Germany, to Cesenatico, Italy, watching and participating in Europe’s favorite pastime — football, better known as soccer in the states. Fifty-five parents and players took the trip, including the Soccer Academy Director Chad Liddle.
“These trips are great for the families,” said Liddle. “We want our parents and kids to get together.”
Senior Bear Dines, 18, who had visited Europe before, enjoyed watching his friends react to the European experience. During the first week there, the Academy played in a Munich tournament known as the Friendly Games. They won their first game against a local team, 5-4. After the game the two teams exchanged flags that represented their schools.
“It was just fun getting to see the level of play that everyone else was at,” said Dines, “especially in a continent where soccer is the No. 1 sport.”
Liddle said his favorite part was watching players interact with international teams after the tournament. “Our players got to meet kids from all over the world, and watching them having to overcome language barriers was neat,” said Liddle. “The kids who really wanted to communicate, but couldn’t through language, ended up communicating through soccer.”
The Academy played in two games in the Friendly Games and two in a large tournament, the Italy Cup. The Italy Cup hosts approximately 95 different clubs from all over Europe.
Although the Academy planned their European tour around the World Cup Calendar, they were not able to attend a game due to the high cost of tickets. However, students were still able to experience the energy and excitement that surrounds the World Cup by watching it in different European locations.
“We watched the games in some nice viewing areas,” said Liddle. “The atmosphere is always incredible.”
Dines described one night when the entire group was eating at a Greek restaurant and watching a semi-final game. The owners had strung up sheets between trees and set up projectors so that everyone could watch the game.
“We still got all the culture, even though we weren’t at the games,” said Dines.
The Academy won’t be making any more trips to Europe this school year, but they do have a number of games scheduled with colleges and clubs across the United States. “I have some great kids who are very disciplined and understand rules,” said Liddle as he recalled the good behavior and dedication of the Soccer Academy players during their trek across Europe.
