The World Cup may be over for another four years, but for seven of our students, the international football adventure is just beginning.
As the dust settles on the World Cup final, 12 young footballers, including seven from Derwen College will be flying the flag for Wales at the Genuine Cup in Houston, Texas representing Wrexham AFC.
While Wales and England’s World Cup dreams were dashed too soon, The Red Dragons are hoping to give fans something to cheer about as they represent Wrexham AFC and Wales in America.
Derwen College students are joining students from Wrexham and Denbighshire as part of the Wrexham AFC squad for the week-long tournament, which will be held at Rice University. The Red Dragons, aged 17 to 24, offer young people with disabilities the chance to play football in a fun and inclusive environment.
The team will leave for Houston on Saturday 25 July and return on Monday 3 August. The competition will bring together clubs from around the world, including teams from Manchester United, Rangers, Ajax, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Points will also be awarded for fair play and sportsmanship.
As well as competing, students will take part in a packed programme including a visit to NASA and an opening ceremony at Houston Zoo. They’ll take time out to watch Wrexham AFC take on Liverpool in a streamed pre-season friendly on 29 July.
Proud to wear the Wrexham AFC badge
Derwen College students Jonathan, Lydia, Ollie, Kyle, George, Cai and Toby are part of the team. They will be supported by College staff volunteers Steve Evans, Sports Coordinator, and Jessie Vaughan, pathway lead, as well as staff from Wrexham Foundation.
Student Jonathan was interviewed by the Wrexham AFC media team during a training day ahead of the trip. He said: “They asked me what I’m going to enjoy in the US and how I’m feeling about wearing the Wrexham AFC badge. I feel very proud to wear the Wrexham AFC badge. It’s a real honour.”
Cai, from Wrexham, is a lifelong Wrexham AFC fan and could not be prouder to play for his beloved team. Cai, who is almost always wearing a Wrexham football shirt anyway, said he already owns all the Wrexham AFC kits, so he can’t wait to wear his brand new kit when it’s revealed on tour.
The players have already been given red training kits, bags and merchandise. Their official playing kit will be revealed once they arrive in Houston, as Wrexham AFC’s new kit remains under wraps.
Ollie, a day student from Telford, said: “There’s lots going on. We get a welcome dinner and opening ceremony at the zoo. I’ve never been to America and can’t wait!”
Amazing opportunity
Ollie’s mum Tina will also travel to Houston with Ollie’s younger brother to support the team.
She said: “For Ollie this is an amazing opportunity to experience something he wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to had he not been at Derwen College. He has worked hard and built good relationships with his team mates and this trip enables him to further expand his skills, experiences and life skills, as well as his confidence in what is possible for him to achieve.”
Lydia, the only female on the team, will be joined in Houston by her parents.
Mum Julie said: “We’re flying separately as she wants to be with her friends, which is lovely in itself. Lydia is really excited to have been picked for the team; she never expected that.
“She has always loved sport, but at school she was never picked for anything. There were always students who were bigger and stronger, so she missed the chance. She’s always loved football; her brother is a coach, as was her dad. Just being part of the College and the Wrexham AFC team has made her so happy, and made us so proud. This is just an added extra amazing opportunity.”
Exciting opportunity
Steve Evans thanked Wrexham AFC for their support in developing an inclusive football team and creating such an exciting opportunity for students.
He said: “We train with Wrexham every Tuesday, and the students are so proud to be representing Wrexham AFC and Derwen College. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many of them, with plenty of challenges along the way, including a 10-hour flight, being in new environments and a different country and representing the College.
“We are very proud of them and know they will be amazing ambassadors. Just being a part of this prestigious international event is an honour, although we’re definitely playing for the win!”
The students will be accompanied by Wrexham coaches Megan Buckly and Gaz Williams, along with Programmes Manager Elgan Williams from Wrexham Foundation.
Derwen College is committed to offering students opportunities experiences outside of college. As well as a thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards programme, students have recently been invited to join residential trips in the UK, and to Iceland and Disneyland, Paris.
Follow the The Red Dragons’ journey on Wrexham AFC Foundation and Wrexham AFC Facebook page
