This summer, Lithuania joined the long list of countries to host a VCF Soccer Camp, part of the Valencia CF internationalisation programme that was recently recognised with nomination as a finalist in the World Football Summit Industry Awards.

More than 60 children aged between 10 and 14 years old were able to enjoy the first edition of the VCF Soccer Camp, held in collaboration with the academy of local club Zalgiris Kaunas at their facilities.

Local coaches worked together with three coaches from the VCF Academy to teach football and the Valencia CF working methodology, used by a youth system named as one of the five best European football academies according to the latest CIES Football Observatory reports.

"This VCF Soccer Camp in Lithuania has been perfect," explains VCF Academy coach Miquel Belmonte. “Both in terms of the facilities at the Zalgiris Kaunas Academy, and the high level that the children have shown. In all age groups we have found 2 or 3 players with skill and an attitude and passion for football. This combination is what could make them good players."

In addition to their work with the children, the VCF Academy coaches also held a training seminar with those from Zalgiris Kaunas, to convey to them some key concepts in the working methodology that is used at the Ciudad Deportiva.

“As an organisation we are very satisfied with this opportunity to work with the coaches of the VCF Academy” explains Kęstutis Deltuva, Technical Director of the Kauno Žalgiris Football Academy.

“We wanted to give our coaches a new experience working with the VCF Academy coaches. Our players have seen a different way of training, they have learned new skills and improved the ones they already had."

The Campuses that the VCF Academy run periodically, both nationally and internationally, are part of the VCF Soccer Academy Programmes that help to expand the Valencia CF brand and values worldwide.