News
Afc Youth Academy | Viking Raid
U13s and U14s return with silverware
The Aberdeen U13s and U14s last weekend travelled over to Norway for the Hess Invitational (Elite tournament) – and they came back with two trophies!
The tournament, organised by Viking FK, was made up with teams from all over Norway plus the young Dons.
Head of the AFC Youth Academy, Neil Simpson told us about the trip “I would first of all I like to say a massive thank you to our friends at Viking FK for inviting us over. The club also helped with travel costs. We have a really strong partnership with them. The staff and coaches are all really nice and we look forward to building the relationship in the years to come.
“Playing in an international tournament, compared with the normal domestic matches they play, was great for the kids. It was a very good experience for them in terms of their development. Two of the boys had never even been on a plane before. It was good for the players to be exposed to that kind of environment. They learn things like how to prepare for games similar to the way you would a European game, learn to eat different food before a game, learn what it is like staying in a hotel prior to a game.
“I was 17 when I first went abroad with the Dons.
“Stavanger is a lovely city and the accommodation we had was excellent. The playing facilities they have over there are also superb. In Stavanger alone they have 43 3G pitches. In Aberdeen we have three within the city.
“These types of trips are about gaining experience but I was obviously delighted both teams won their competitions. The U13s had a convincingly win in the final and the U14 won on the golden goal, Lewis Hutchison scoring the winner.
“All the boys will have happy memories of the trip and it was a great way to finish off the season.”
Video | to watch a clip of the U13s in action please click here
Sponsors |
thank you to the following people –
Eblast
Rainbow City
Aberdeen Surgical
Hamnavce
Wilf Harris
NGC Solutions
Raemoir Garden Centre
Ross Survival Services
John Duncan Plant Hire
Steven Spence
James Milne & Co
West End Glass and Glazing
Container Company Ltd (Aberdeen)
Duncan Grant
Whale Design Engineering
JG Ross
ClaireLo Hairdressing
Ian Henry
Maru International
Also well done to Connor Barron who did a sponsored 6 mile dribble and raised £740 towards the trip!