07 Aug 2024
The majority of Aspire Academy’s football student-athletes are heading to Europe for training camps in August ahead of the new season.
Generations 2009, 2010, and 2011 arrived in Pravets in Bulgaria on Monday 5 August for a 10-day camp, with 43 student-athletes travelling in total.
The 2007 and 2012 generations will then join those three groups for a 13-day trip to Qabala, Azerbaijan.
A total of 124 student-athletes will be in Azerbaijan, which will feature both coaching sessions and a series of friendly matches.
The Technical Director of Aspire Academy’s Football Department, Edorta Murua, explained how they chose where they go for overseas training camps.
“We need places that meet certain essential requirements, such as being able to receive a large delegation,” he said.
“They must also offer us autonomy and privacy so that we can develop the programme we intend to use to develop the players.”
“So we look at things like infrastructure, accommodation, privacy, space for the different departments, and freedom of movement.”
He also outlined the main objectives of organising these trips during the school holidays.
“They give us the continuity to work with the players and not have a long break over the summer,” he added.
“We will have space and time to meet with them to get to know each other better, to strengthen personal relationships, and to understand and accept each other's roles.”
“It is the chance to remember and reinforce the objectives and priorities of the Academy.”
“It is an ideal opportunity to welcome and introduce the new additions to the Academy as they learn about the day-to-day demands of the Academy.
“For those who have been with us before, we continue our work to develop, deepen and expand our unique competitive football player model.
“Overall, the aim is to make a qualitative leap in our work and strengthen our passion and capacity through the different experiences that Aspire offers us.”
The only players not participating in August’s camps are the 2008 generation, the majority of whom are with the Qatar national under-17 squad preparing for October’s 2025 AFC Under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Qatar will host one of the mini tournaments, which kicks off on 23 October and will feature Japan, Nepal, and Mongolia. Only the winners will be guaranteed a place in the finals in Saudi Arabia next year.
The student-athletes, coaches and staff return to Qatar on 30 August, with the 2024-25 academic year set to start on 1 September.