The Importance of the Villarreal CF International Academies
Villarreal CF, a small but exponentially growing fútbol team in La Liga. It is one of the biggest clubs, despite coming from one of the smallest towns. Since their founding in 1923 they have innovatively built or created a stadium (Estadio de la Ceramica), a mascot (Groguet), a wide regional project (Endavant), a Player Development Program, multiple Academies throughout the world, and a family.
The Villarreal Internation Academy was established in May 2019 out of the hope to expand the Villarreal CF brand, bring the sport to areas lacking it, and perhaps even meet some of the future Villarreal CF players (in fact, more than half of the team are Academy graduates)! Today, it is one of the best Academies for development worldwide. This would not have happened without the investment, hard work, and care put into it. What makes the International Academies unique is the methodology put into it — it is the same training methodology used with the first team players.
Since the beginning of the Academy, Villarreal CF has opened 24 academies worldwide. They have a presence in the United States, South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Puerto Rico, and Sweden — reaching more than 3,500 young athletes. The expansion is continuous as they are attempting to make fútbol a growing phenomenon.
Currently, there are two different types of academies: official partner academies and affiliated schools. Through this project, Villarreal CF has expanded its brand and the province of Castellón beyond its border, making it known in five different continents. On top of this, Villarreal CF coaches regularly visit all of the academies or schools to educate them on the specific training methods.
The Villarreal CF International Academies opens doors for players around the world, where fútbol is not the #1 sport unlike Spain. Sam Savage, the Villarreal North Texas director of coaches says, “…the idea that you’re connected to a club where you may have the chance to go and train with their academy, even if it’s just for a week over the summer (PTW) is an incredible advantage we have, when I speak with parents, I say to them that there is no other club in Texas where you’ll get this opportunity and experience” (Medium). Many Villarreal CF International Academy Directors believe that they are one of the top fútbol programs in their state or region.
During the Player Training Week (PTW), athletes from all over the world spend a week training with the Villarreal CF Academy right here in Spain!
Villarreal CF and its Academies have overlooked and underrated for far too long. It’s the fans, the community members, and the interns mission to bring it into a positive light for the whole world to see, deservingly so.
You can follow along and see what the Villarreal CF International Academies are up to through the official Instagram.
