ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Here you will find detailed information about the European Soccer Connection experience.
We encourage all of our participants and their parents to review this page to get a better sense of the type of experience we offer. Players attending our programs have various goals in mind. Our programs help players dream big, achieve their goals, and turn their hard work into real outcomes.
About Portugal
Why Portugal is an ideal destination for players to develop
Training
What to expect from training
Accommodations
About accommodations and activities
Registration
How to register and next steps
ABOUT PORTUGAL
Portugal is ranked among the safest countries in the world for travel. English is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in urban areas. For the most part, you will see English translations on major street signs and tourist destinations.
This is a country that has the oldest borders in Europe, with an exceptional range of landscapes just a short distance away, lots of leisure activities, and a unique cultural heritage where tradition and modernity blend together in perfect harmony. Its superb cuisine, fine wines and hospitable people make this a tourist paradise of the highest quality.
Our players will have the opportunity to visit a variety of cultural & historic destinations and experience Portugal from a local's perspective!
Portugal has done an excellent job taking necessary steps to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Current regulations require a negative test 72 hours prior to your trip. Quarantine is only required from a specified list of nations. You can get current updates on the Portugal Tourism page.
TRAINING
Not only is Portugal an appealing holiday destination with beautiful weather, excellent beaches and fabulous cultural experiences, it’s also a true footballing European powerhouse. Portugal is home to some of the best clubs in Europe – FC Porto, SL Benfica and Sporting CP. The youth development system is very developed with great programs at all top tier clubs in Portugal.
Portugal is known for its innovative approach to player development. One of the most contemporary training approaches in soccer is the so-called “Tactical Periodization” method, which was developed by Vitór Frade, lecturer at the Sports University of Porto (Portugal) and is being applied by the world's top coaches.
Training provided and expected from our program participants include daily fitness, stretch, and recovery exercises, as well as specialized position-specific training, beach soccer and soccer-related games. Players will live the life of a professional academy player during their program.
Players coming out of the Portuguese system have a higher chance of progressing in their soccer career, whether it's making it professionally, getting a university/college scholarship, or achieving any other player goals. Coaches around the world recognize the type of training and competition Portugal offers and view players coming out of that system very favourably.
Portugal has a wide range of facilities that depend on the region and club. With significant investment over the past decade, players will have the opportunity to play at some of the world's best training facilities. Most clubs have multiple training fields including turf and grass.
For Girls: The growth of women's soccer in Portugal has been substantial. There is a big demand for talented young players and clubs are going out of their way to recruit international players. We have several young female players who are currently playing in the Portuguese top league and are eligible to qualify for Champions League!
ACCOMODATIONS & ACTIVITIES
Accommodations vary with our programs, depending on the location of the club in which a player is placed. With our connections within the local communities we are able to set up suitable accommodations to ensure that our participants are in a comfortable and safe environment so that they can enjoy their experience.
Accommodations in most cases include: Meal service (3 meals a day + snacks), laundry & Adult supervision by ESC staff or an approved representative. For minors travelling without their parents, ESC will help ensure that their children's needs are met when it comes to social and emotional support.
Extra Activities: Participants will have opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities while on their down time, such as:
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Beach - Swimming, Surfing Classes, Beach Soccer / Volleyball, and more.
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Learn Portuguese - Part of our program is Portuguese classes. Learn the basics of the language.
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Soccer Matches - Watch local soccer games at youth & professional level. Experience the game from an academy perspective. Learn from the coaches about tactics and game plans.
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Historic / Cultural Tours - Visit Castles, see local landmarks, and learn about the rich history of Portugal.
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Leisure time - There will be ample leisure time to relax, read, play games, and enjoy life in Portugal.
REGISTRATION
Our registration process is easy and we can personalize our programs to meet your needs. Once you've filled out the below registration form, we will get in touch to discuss next steps and will be happy to answer all of your questions. You can also send us an email at info@europeansoccerconnect.com.