Following a successful trip to France for the prestigious Madewis League, a contingent of young Rovers FC players, spanning both U11 and U12 age groups, has returned to Seychelles brimming with experience and a renewed determination to excel. This marks the second year Rovers FC has participated in this international tournament, having competed in the U10 category last year.
Competing against top international talent, Rovers FC secured commendable finishes in both their categories. Notably, the U11 team, facing fierce competition, finished an impressive 13th out of a staggering 44 teams. Their group stage saw them face two teams that ultimately reached the top 10 finalists, including the esteemed La Liga club, Granada CF.
Madewis solidified its reputation as a global youth football powerhouse, featuring teams like AC Milan, eventual champions, Benfica, Braga (Portugal), Yverdon Sports (Switzerland), FC Dallas (USA), and Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Marseille (France), alongside many more top European academies. The final saw a thrilling 1-0 victory for AC Mila n over Benfica.
The trip also included a training and preparatory camp where Rovers FC had the unique opportunity to visit the academy campuses of top professional clubs, like Olympique de Marseille, and test their skills against them. Additionally, the international stage allowed them to face off against talented teams from around the world, including FC Dallas from the MLS.
Impressively, across their participation in France, Rovers FC found the back of the net a staggering 30 times.
“This experience has been invaluable for both our players and coaches.” shared Rovers FC Head Coach, Rupert Pool. “Competing against such high-calibre teams exposed them to a different level of play, highlighting areas where we can further refine our skills.“
Lucas Panayi, Academy Director at Rovers FC, echoed this sentiment. “The learning opportunities on this trip are immeasurable. Now that we’re back, we’re eager to get back on the training pitch and work even harder to close the gap to the European standard.“
Despite financial challenges, Rovers FC is already planning their return to Europe next year.
“Investing in these international experiences is imperative for the development of our young players.” Panayi emphasised. “We are committed to providing them with the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their full potential on the world stage.“
Rovers FC’s journey at the Madewis League has not only yielded impressive results but also fuelled a burning desire for further growth. With their sights set on future challenges, Rovers FC is poised to continue making Seychelles proud on the international football scene.
