Last week, two VCF Academy teams participated in the prestigious JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7s tournament in Singapore. Before coming back to Valencia, the U15 players also took part in a number of activities and events, in which they had very rewarding experiences, especially the clinic they led at Fernvale Gardens School with pupils who have disabilities.

Darío Serra, Valencia CF U15 player, will never forget the moment when, after helping a local student with intellectual disabilities learn how to kick the ball. “It was a wonderful moment. I could see in his eyes that he was having a good time", he told local news at ‘The Straits Times’, "The students are just like us, but they have added disabilities, so we had to be very patient with them to ensure that they have fun." Twelve coaches also participated in the clinic.

As soon as they arrived at the Sengkang school, they could see how excited the kids, aged 7 to 12, were to meet them, greeting them with high-fives. Before getting started on the pitch, they gave the kids Valencia CF pins, something they can remember them by forever.

The school’s director, Gerard Vaz, 46, thought it was an eye-opening experience for the pupils: "We always look for these kind of opportunities for the kids to mix around. This gives them the chance to put some of the sporting skills that they learn during their PE (physical education) lessons into action."

Following the clinic, seven adults from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore's Idea-Employment Development Centre mixed it up with the Valencia youth players for a 20-minute friendly game.

Source: The Straits Times