Stars Shine At Finch Farm For International Academy Tournament

Football was the winner as Finch Farm welcomed budding stars from the UK and United States in an inaugural junior tournament recently. 

Everton’s International Academy played host to boys and girls teams from both sides of the Atlantic ahead of the World Cup, in a sun-soaked spectacular at the Club’s training facilities. 

The event was the brainchild of Mark Thompson, Everton’s International Technical Coaching Manager, and Magnus Alford, co-founder of Coaches Voice, who combined forces to host the prestigious four-day tournament. 

Under-13s boys' teams from Chelsea, Leeds United, Everton and Wrexham competed against US ECNL (Elite Coaches National League) sides North Carolina, Eastside, Oklahoma Energy and the XF Academy. 

That was followed by strong representation from the US national team in the Under-16s girls' competition, involving Bay Area Surf, Solar Soccer Club, Legends SDC and Michigan Hawks, who faced teams from Glasgow Rangers, Chelsea, the Wales national team and the hosts.

Alford said: “This event has come about through our relationship with the Everton International Academy. We’ve had a partnership for around four years and we were looking to create a unique event that celebrated youth football. 

“Because we've got a unique partnership with the ECNL, which is the largest youth soccer league in America, we wanted to try to bring over the best teams in the USA for their age, to come and play Premier League and SPL academies so that they could really test themselves and compete at the highest level.” 

Thompson, who oversees the International Academy at Everton and works with affiliate clubs across the world, added: “We think it's part of our role as a football club to make sure we're giving people an opportunity to connect and be part of something that's bigger on the footballing scale, but also on the wider scale of meeting people from all walks of life and broadening horizons. 

“Bringing all these people together is a great opportunity to be pushed out of their comfort zone, but also see what different levels are and what expectations are.  

“In particular, I think it's a great opportunity for girls’ Academies across the world to come together, compete and experience different playing styles, because the female game is very strong and continuing to grow. 

“This is something that we're committed to, and as a Club, we want this tournament to go form strength to strength, to grow and evolve.  

“Coaches' Voice are certainly motivated as well for this to become sustainable and become a real annual event.” 

Two days of fierce competition eventually saw North Carolina lift the boys’ trophy, while the Under-16 girls' competition also headed Stateside in the arms of Solar Soccer Club. 

But all participants took something positive from the experience, which promises to return next summer. 

Mark Howard, Oklahoma Energy Executive Director, said: “Honestly, it's been 10 out of 10; first class. 

“The people here have been very friendly, the hosts, everybody - and I would highly recommend it to all the US clubs back home. 

“When we first got the invitation, all the boys were pumped up at playing against English academies.  

“We didn't really know what to expect and how we would fare against everybody, but once it started, it had a real competitive tournament feel to it and it's been really fun.” 

To find out more about the Everton International Academy CLICK HERE.