We were very proud to learn that Year 9 students, Danny N and Tyler M, had been selected to represent Macclesfield FC in the Juventus World Cup, held in Aosta, Italy from 14th to 18th June 2022. The tournament was returning after a two-year break and, for the first time, was held in the breathtaking landscape of Valle d’Aosta, in the specific venues of Aosta, Courmayeur and Pila.

The World Cup event, which began with a stunning opening ceremony, involved 29 academies, represented by over 1000 players, 150 coaches and 400 parents. The teams comprised boys born between 2007 and 2012 and girls born in 2007 and 2008, from 22 different countries, including at least one from each continent - Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria, U.A.E., Oman, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Hungary, France, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, Malta, Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, the United States and, of course, Great Britain.

It all kicked off on Tuesday 14th June with the opening ceremony at the Allianz Stadium. Over the the following three days, matches were played at Montfleury and Gressan, Charvensod, Saint Pierre and Aymavilles, Villeneuve and Roisan, Morgex and Courmayer, with the finals of each category held on Friday at the prestigious Juventus Training Centre Continassa (JTC), the sports centre of the First Juventus Team.

The Juventus Academy World Cup came to an end on Saturday 18th June with the closing ceremony - held once again at the Allianz Stadium with all the teams wearing the legendary monochrome strip. "The many countries involved are united by only two colours, black and white, bringing together over 1000 young people who all live for the same passion: football."

This was such an incredible, once in a lifetime experience for Danny and Tyler (and also Lewis H mentioned in a separate article - click here to read) and such a wonderful opportunity to develop their game on an international platform.

 

Above: Danny N                                                                                                  Above: Tyler M

Below: The Opening Ceremony