Academy teach Chinese students the Swansea Way

Swansea City have helped nurture more than 30 footballers from China during a special week-long visit.

The club teamed up with Swansea University and the Federation of University Sports China to deliver training sessions to 33 male and female footballers selected from high schools across China along with eight support staff, including coaches, who also made the trip.

Coaching sessions based on the Swansea City Academy youth phase curriculum were conducted by Swans academy coaches, while training matches were set up against Cardiff and Vale College, Briton Ferry and Swansea University, with the club’s coaches managing the teams.

The visit follows a successful trip to Swansea in July, which saw 60 coaches head to SA1 for specialist training with the club.

Roy Thomas, head of academy coaching, said: “It is great to be working with Swansea University and the FUSC again as we build on the successful coach education programme from the summer.

“The opportunity to welcome some of the most talented high school footballers from across China and help them to improve their skills, as well as show them our elite facilities, is a great privilege for the club.

“We’re excited to play a part in developing these players and look forward to future opportunities both in Swansea and China.”

Roger Davies, events and engagement officer (sport) at Swansea University, added: “It has been a pleasure hosting the talented young footballers from China this week.

“They have been a credit to their country with how they conducted themselves, particularly during training and in the games. The university’s relationship with the Chinese authorities has developed over recent years and this project is yet another example of a positive sporting collaboration.

“We are grateful to Swansea City for their support in delivering the programme. Partnering with the club’s expert coaches and having access to their facilities was invaluable in delivering a first-class experience for our visitors.”