Málaga CLUB de FÚTBOL

The Blue and Whites and EVIAN, official Málaga Club de Fútbol partner, presented the II La Academia Summer Camp in La Rosaleda today, which takes place from the 24th June to the 21st July, in Hotel Sol Andalusí in Alhaurín de la Torre.

The malaguista head coach arrived at the Federación Malagueña, where he first greeted all the campus instructors. Continuing on, Pellegrini went onto the Fútbol-7 playing field among the applause of all the pupils who were eagerly awaiting the Chilean trainer. The students then went on to ask questions about the team, the new players, the quality of life in Málaga, etc. Pellegrini encouraged everyone to take active part in the campus: “You have to enjoy it and have fun”. Once the series of questions had ended, group by group the pupils had their photos taken with the blue and white trainer. And at the end, the boarders at The Academy Summer Camp sang the malaguista anthem and Málaga Club de Fútbol’s head coach left to applause and cheers. The fourth and last session of The Academy Summer Camp will close this Saturday, putting a full stop and an end to the first summer camp, that counted on the attendance of a high number of pupils, who enjoyed the multidisciplinary activities, with football classes as the highlight, given by top quality educators and trainers, former players, like Juan Carlos Añón, Raúl Iznata and Kuni, among others.

With various natural grass football pitches, 150.000 m2 of sub tropical Gardens, indoor heated swimming pool and a number of outdoor pools are the settings where the participants of the third session of the Summer Camp will enjoy and improve their football.

During the visit, when the groups visited the Pressroom, the children received their diploma, technique assessment and a photo of the visit by players Duda and Portillo. During the session, the participants played football in the Ciudad Deportivo de la Federación Malagueña, and experienced other sporting activities in the Ciudad Deportivo Carranque. They had lunch in the Residencia Alfil facilities where they also had their workshops, which included English that was one of the most enjoyable for the youngsters. The visits from Duda and Paco Portillo were memorable experiences as was the excursion to Aquavelis.

It did not take long to present Sergio Paulo Barbosa Valente, and as they recognized him they all began to chant the nickname by which all malaguistas know him. After finding out how they were getting on, Duda was bombarded with questions. The kids were curious to know more about his career as a footballer, some went over with him some of his most famous goals, others went near the bone by asking him whether he preferred to play for the Portuguese national squad or the blue and white team. And many of them wanted to know his opinion of Málaga 2011-12, the new signings, to which Duda responded: “All the new players are equally important. All players, those who were already here at Málaga and those who have just arrived, must all work as a team and become a family, because what is most important is: The team”. In the afternoon, after the end of the Workshops and before the start of afternoon training sessions, the participants received another surprise visit, from Paco Portillo. Smiling and friendly, the Paleño soon won the lads over with his small demonstration of ball touches. The enthusiastic youngsters did not delay in showing their curiosity and questioned the young winger about his early start on the El Palo pitch, how he was received in the First Team and his feelings about the new season, to which Portillo stated that “with the players that we have and the one who have just come, we have a fantastic team. And I feel comfortable and in good company”. During both visits, the youngsters had photos taken with the players and will receive them as a gift during the Closing ceremony that will take place on Saturday at La Rosaleda.

They also had a surprise visit from Joaquín, one of the new blue and white players who visited the Andalucia Residencia, after his official presentation at La Rosaleda; and had an unforgettable experience with their parents and families in the Closing ceremony when they were able to see what it’s like to be a malaguista footballer who’s admired as they come onto the pitch each game. The trainers and personnel at this first Session of the Summer Camp at least had a few hours to rest before the second session started yesterday at the malagueña Federación, but thanks to Coin family Urbaneja Ruiz, owner of the artisan bakery ‘El Pan de la Curruca” who presented a commemorative loaf and a basket full of delicious goodies, so that they quickly gained strength.

The heat did not prevent parents and family gathering in the stands to follow the ceremony, when they witnessed each one of the participants as they walked through the entrance of La Rosaleda, climbed onto the stage to receive a diploma evaluating their work done during the week spent at Camp, as well as a souvenir photo with Joaquín, which was presented by Ben Barek, the legendary ‘Pajarito’ and coordinator of Málaga C.F. Academy Football School.

“Where you are now, I used to be some years ago”, confessed Joaquín to the youngsters attending the first session of The Academy Summer Camp, still emotional with the moments he experienced a few hours before at the Martiricos Stadium. Very surprised by the visit, the participants listened intently as Joaquín and Málaga C.F.’s Sports Director told them of how important it is “to practice being good people as well as good footballers” and they stressed “don’t give up on your studies and prepare well for the future”. The young lads had the chance to put their questions and concerns to the blue and white new player and with that he signed each one of the Málaga C.F. pennants and posed for photos with the lads and with the entire group of participants and the Academy Summer Camp coaching staff. The player from Cádiz once again showed his friendly personality and challenged one of the lads in the Camp to a round of Speed Stacks, a new game that’s causing a stir amongst youngsters, which consists of creating set patterns stacking a group of 12 plastic glasses. Joaquín won and endeared himself to all the lads at the Camp. The second Session of the Academy Summer Camp, is for day boarders, and in which youngsters will have activities from 10 until eight at night, will start next Sunday 3rd, and the cut off date for registering is on Thursday 12 noon.