Seven of our students have come home from a trip of a lifetime to the Genuine Cup in Houston, Texas, with medals, memories and a trophy after an unforgettable football adventure with Wrexham AFC.
Students Jonathan, Lydia, Ollie, Kyle, George, Cai and Toby were part of Wrexham AFC Foundation’s Red Dragons squad representing Wales at the week-long international tournament for athletes with SEND and autism, held at Rice University in Houston.
Our students joined young people from Wrexham and Denbighshire as part of the 12-strong team, supported by Derwen College staff volunteers Steve Evans, Sports Coordinator, and Jessie Vaughan, pathway lead, alongside Wrexham Foundation staff Meghan, Elgan, Gaz and Tom.
A total of 54 teams took part from around the world. After opening fixtures against Iceland, Denmark, Germany and Slovakia, Wrexham AFC were placed in a six-team group, playing sides Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Andorra and Costa Rica. The team finished top of their group to become cup winners, while Argentina were crowned overall winners.
For our students and staff, the trip was about far more than football. They also visited NASA, enjoyed a rodeo, explored Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center, shared an authentic Mexican meal, and joined a pep rally featuring the Harlem Globetrotters.
Steve Evans said the players had been fantastic ambassadors for Derwen College and Wrexham AFC.
He said: “The Genuine Cup was about so much more than football. It was about courage, inclusion, friendship, resilience and showing what can be achieved when everyone is given the opportunity to shine.
“It was a busy schedule, and without doubt an opportunity of a lifetime that none of us will ever forget!”
Here are a few quotes from our triumphant footballers:
Cai: “I am very happy to have played for my home town in Texas. It was very hot but exciting. We won and lifted the cup. I liked the rodeo and basketball too.”
Lydia: “To be able to play football in another country was amazing! That alone was such a great experience, but also to play for Wrexham, representing Wales, and being part of the squad was exciting. Even though I was the only girl on the team I felt included and fully part of it. And bringing the trophy home was the icing on the cake!”
Ollie: “I had an amazing time. The best bits were when WE were all celebrating together as one team after winning their matches. I also really enjoyed surprise Gaz (one of the Wrexham coaches) on his birthday with cards and gifts. The weather was very hot to play football in but I dug deep and did my best.”
Jonathan: “It was a really, really good and amazing trip overall thanks to Jessie Vaughan and Steve for taking us and of course Elgan, Meg and Gaz and Tom for the best memories that we will never forget. I was so happy to represent Derwen College and Wrexham AFC Foundation. More memories to come with more training sessions and hopefully more local tournaments. Just absolutely no words.”