Villarreal CF has paid tribute to the U12s, who received a diploma from Marcos Senna
Villarreal CF and the academy co-ordinators have organised a celebratory event to pay tribute to all those youth players who finish the 8-a-side stage of their development and make the step up to 11-a-side football. In appreciation of their first years in the Villarreal CF youth ranks, the youth players received a diploma for their dedication and commitment to defending the colours and crest of the Submarine, from the hands of a legend and emblem of the club, Marcos Senna.
The ambassador, as well as giving them this special gift, dedicated some inspiring words to them during this emotional ceremony held in the press room of the Estadio de la Cerámica during the preview of the match -finally postponed- against RCD Espanyol in LALIGA EA Sports.
An emotional end to an era
The players who took part in the tribute are all those who are facing their last year in 8-a-side football before taking the step to 11-a-side football. A change of stage that transcends football and even becomes a turning point towards adolescence. “11-a-side football brings them closer to real football. For the kids it means a lot, it’s like moving to a stage similar to that of their peers”, says Karim Hamidi, assistant coordinator of the Yellows Academy’s 8-a-side football stage.
During this last year, the coordination team has been trying to prepare the players for this change, as Karim Hamidi himself explains: “Occasionally we carry out activities in the form of 11-a-side matches so that they get to know the distances, the ball and get used to the size of the goal, but it’s not a priority. Because of their age, we think they should continue to develop other types of behaviour that are more associated with 8-a-side football. They will have time to continue to develop so that they can adapt as well as possible to 11-a-side.”
A memorable end
Thanks to this beautiful act of celebration, the youngsters, born in 2013, will also have the opportunity to take a historic photograph with the starting XI of the first team during one of Villarreal CF’s upcoming matches (still to be determined). As a cherry on top, they will all enjoy the match together in a VIP area of the Estadio de la Cerámica.
As the 8-a-side football co-ordinators point out, the youngsters are going to enjoy two very special days: “The presentation of the diplomas was a very nice moment for them. All the second year youngsters came together, they shared a special experience with each other and received their diplomas. Now they will have the opportunity to go out onto the pitch to have their photo taken with their idols, go to the box and see the Europa League trophy,” explains Hamidi.
Turning this event into a tradition
Villarreal CF has held this small ceremony for the second consecutive season. From the academy the aim is to give continuity to this presentation of diplomas to those players who finish their 8-a-side stage. In this way, year after year, this emotive act will become a tradition like the commemorative presentation of submarines to those who complete ten at the club. “We want this act to be established as something that lasts, we don’t want to lose the detail of giving them this recognition for the time they have spent in 8-a-side football with us,” he concludes.
