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Parkinson Helps Everton Football College In Dallas Cup

Four teams from Everton Football College are currently in the US, competing against sides including Real Madrid and Barcelona in the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament.

Each year more than 100,000 spectators watch teams from all over the world play in both elite and general competition at the invitation-only youth tournament, which kicked off this weekend.  

Everton Football College is represented by 70 students across four teams – male Under-17s, Under-18s, and Under-19 teams and a female Under-19s team – and this year is the first time that the College has sent a female team.

The tournament is potentially life-changing for some of the students, with scouts from US universities and football clubs watching the games at the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

As a result of playing in previous tournaments, a number of former Everton Football College and Everton Academy students have earned football scholarships to study for degrees at US universities in subjects including Business and Management and Engineering, and others have gone on to play for US Clubs or secure coaching roles stateside.

Some of the students at this year’s tournament will also get to experience what it is like to live and study in America, as they will be staying with host families including fellow tournament players.

Joining the students for the first time in Dallas will be former Everton player, and now Everton Football College Coach, Joe Parkinson – who lifted the FA Cup with the Blues in 1995.

Joe coaches the College’s male Under-17 team, and along with the rest of the College’s staff has been helping the students prepare physically and mentally for the challenge of playing in such a prestigious tournament.

“I’m really excited to be attending my first Dallas Cup with Everton Football College,” said Parkinson. “I’m looking forward to seeing the standard of play, but most of all, seeing how our students will take this opportunity to push themselves.

“Coming to this role from professional football, I’ve learned so much from my Everton Football College colleagues in just the five months I’ve been here. I’m proud to be part of a team who are so focussed on every student getting the best out of this experience and everything else that the College offers.”

As well as the Dallas Cup, Everton Football College students have also had opportunities including five-month coaching placements in Aruba, and football tours to Martinique and Valencia.    

Parkinson added: “We’ve been helping prepare the students in different ways – from extra fitness sessions, to talking about the difference in refereeing approach in the US, to organising presentations from Everton Academy nutritionists on what to eat before a game and even on the plane here. The only thing we haven’t been able to do much of is helping acclimatise them to the Dallas weather, as that has been out of our control here in the UK!

“They know that as well as representing the Everton badge, they are here to showcase themselves, and we want them to come away from this tournament feeling proud that they have done everything they can.”

Everton Football College Principal Steven Baker OBE said: “The Dallas Cup is potentially lifechanging for some of our students, including the opportunities of scholarships once they have completed their studies with us. It is also a rich cultural and personal development experience, with more than 900 international players participating each year. A lot of work has gone into organising the trip, and our students are ready and eager to play, especially after Covid prevented us from attending the last two tournaments. This is another chance for Everton Football College to make our mark – or rather our footprints – on the football map!”

For results and video highlights from the tournament, follow Everton Football College on twitter @EvertonCollege and Instagram @evertonfootballcollege or visit the College website: https://www.evertonfootballcollege.com/