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Warrawong High School soccer players train with Real Madrid Foundation

ABC News

40 minutes ago

ABC News

Warrawong High School soccer players train with Real Madrid Foundation

Lexi Taylor was not a big soccer fan, but that changed when she heard about an extracurricular program run by one of the world's most well-known football clubs. The Real Madrid Foundation program aims to encourage healthy habits in adolescence through soccer, and operates at two low socio-economic schools in Australia. For the 17-year-old from Warrawong High School, in southern Wollongong, the real attraction was the chance to travel overseas. "I always thought it was too hard … [and] I'd never be able to save that much money," she said. But a 12-day trip to the Spanish capital was not going to happen without some hard work. All the expenses, except flights, were paid by the Real Madrid Foundation. But Lexi said it was her responsibility to save enough money and organise her first passport, all while managing the workload of year 12. "I would work at least six times a week," she said. "We got my passport three weeks later than we expected which was super stressful." At the end of last month, Lexi packed her suitcase with a jersey for star player Jude Bellingham to sign and boarded a flight bound for Madrid alongside 19 other students. Personal development, health and physical education teacher Samantha Bell escorted the group on behalf of Warrawong High School and said they were given special access to some of Real Madrid's coaching staff and training facilities. "The kids were blown away by the facilities," she said. "Everything was just so immaculate. And every session we had, had specialised coaches and first aid to check in on injuries." The students were even able to store their gear inside the club's change rooms and dress in the iconic black and white uniform. "It felt like a real 'wow' moment for them," Ms Bell said. "It was something they hadn't experienced before. Plans to meet some of Real Madrid's best players after their winning La Liga match against Real Sociedad were cancelled last minute due to the announced retirement of Luca Modric. "[I was] a bit disappointed but at least we got to see the players train," said 15-year-old Mohammed Al-aesawi. "Some of the players said hello to us from the balcony. "That in itself was more than enough." Ms Bell said since returning to the classroom, there had been a "massive" surge in students wanting to join the Real Madrid Foundation program. "We only took 20 students away and now our program has 55 students enrolled in it," she said. "So we are in the process of how to re-timetable that for the school." During their first post-trip training session last week, many students agreed the program had helped them both on and off the soccer pitch. "I'm now saving for a car," Lexi said. Victoria Ugarte from the Real Madrid Foundation said plans were underway to expand the program into more Australian schools. "We are talking to a Sydney school at the moment … and some in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales," she said.

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