LALIGA Camps UK student Trains with an official LALIGA Club in Spain
Conor O’Sullivan was selected for an exclusive training experience with Villarreal CF in Spain.
London, 27th Feb 2024
LALIGA Camps UK facilitated it’s first student from their 2023 camp programme for an exclusive training experience with Villarreal CF in Spain in 2024.
Conor O’Sullivan was hand picked to represent LALIGA Camps UK for his dedication, performance and attitude at LALIGA Camps 2023 summer camp. These were highlighted by the UEFA Pro LALIGA coaches in attendance.
Conor’s experience operated over the UK February half-term break where he travelled from Bermuda to Spain with his father Dermot. Conor and his father was welcomed by Villarreal staff on the Monday where they ran through the operations and logistics of the experience. Conor was then given a full schedule for the week:
We managed to catch up with Conor to gather his thoughts on his experience with Villarreal CF..
Conor Q: Describe how it felt to be the only player from LALIGA Camps UK who was selected for this opportunity
“I was very excited and honoured to be selected out of all the other players to go to a pro club (Villarreal) and experience the highest level of football”.
Conor Q: Describe your experience of the official Villarreal Academy training sessions you attended on Mon/Wed/Fri
“I thought that the standard was very high and professional. The Villarreal players were very welcoming and helpful knowing I didn't speak good spanish as they were always asking if I understood or if I needed help, which was great. Then the facilities were top-noch the best I've seen so there were no worries there”.
Conor Q: Is there anything you have learnt from your training experience with Villarreal CF and do you think this has helped your development? If so, why?
“I have learnt that in professional teams they have very high standards and the environment is set up to help the players improve. I learnt about making spaces and good body positions as well a good first touch to help me play faster. They also helped me with scanning that will help me to make better decisions on and off the ball”.
Dermot Q (Parent): Did you think this experience was beneficial to Conor? If so, why?
“Yes I thought it was very beneficial to Conor as it showed him the level these teams performed at and what he needs to do to improve. It also showed him as the week went on his level improved. The biggest eye opener was the speed and intensity they performed at compared to what he was used to”.
Conor & Dermot Q (Parent): Would you recommend this experience to others? If so, why?
“Yes we would highly recommend the experience to others because this is an experience to see the level top academies train at and is rare to get this type of access. It is a good guide to see as a player where you are at and what specifics need to be worked on to get to the next level”.
Conor Q: Any personal comments regarding the experience?
“I would like to thank Olly and LALIGA Camps UK for choosing me as I was honoured to represent them. I am also very thankful to the Villarreal coaches and everyone I met there as they put on a great week and I really enjoyed the experience. Thank you all!”
LALIGA Camps UK Director Olly Davies managed to meet both Conor and his father Dermot at Villarreal CF and said he
“was very pleased with the hospitality shown by Villarreal, they really looked after Conor and his father during their stay and it was great to see Conor being pushed against some of the best players from the city”.
Pictured: Olly Davies - LALIGA Camps UK Director (left), Conor (middle), Hector - Villarreal CF (right)
This isn’t the first time LALIGA Camps UK has opened doors to further footballing opportunities. In 2022, the programme welcomed Nikodem from Poland who went on to represent the LALIGA Academy in Madrid and Ben from Germany who loved Bede’s School so much he decided to study and develop through Bede’s highly regarded football programme in England for the 2023/24 season.
LALIGA Camps UK 2024 Dates
Easter
1 - 5 Apr (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
8 - 12 Apr (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
Summer
1-5 Jul (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
8-12 Jul (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
15-19 Jul (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
22-26 Jul (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
29-2 Aug (Bede’s Senior School, near Brighton)
5-9 Aug (Royal Russel School, London)
12-16 Aug (Royal Russel School, London)