Double Win at the Welsh International Super Cup
Staff and students are celebrating this month after both under 18 Hereford United Youth Academy teams brought home the winning trophies from the long established Welsh International Super Cup. Both teams remained unbeaten against the 9 other teams in their groups, as well as overcoming the unpredictable weather. Tutor Gary Steven’s described how the referees were eager to participate in both of the team’s games due to them being ‘a well disciplined side and a joy to referee’.
Herefordshire College of Technology students, both prospective and current, feature strongly in both teams and took part in the pre-game cup presentation at the Hereford United Ground where they acted as ball boys for the game. Also at the ground was Hereford United player Aiden Thomas who is the 6th HCT student from the BTEC National Diploma in Sport-Performance and Excellence to accept a professional football contract.
The Cup itself is a pre-season training week based at Aberystwyth University. Giving the opportunity not only for competitive matches, sometimes with international teams, it also offers the chance for young players to experience and develop the real-life routines and discipline that are essential to forming a professional career. This can range from the importance of breakfast, to the recovery of muscles in cold water after a game. Tutor Colin Williams observed how the week encouraged students to “bond together as a group, develop individual responsibilities and gain new experiences.”
