Valencia CF player Hugo Duro gave a surprise visit to a training session for Eacoles Cor Blanquinegre, a VCF Foundation sports and education initiative that has been working with children at risk of exclusion since 2015.

The 13 children from the CEIP Pintor Teodoro Andreu, in Alzira, are trained under the watchful eye of Emilio Fenoll, former Valencia CF player and now coach for activity.

After participating in several training drills, Duro sat down with the players to answer questions.

Mestalla and Valencia CF

"Every time Mestalla chants my name it is a joy, a source of pride, a recognition of all the work of a lifetime in football, in studies, at home, because everything goes a little bit hand in hand."

"Being a Valencia CF player is a source of pride. It's true that in Spanish football there are a lot of teams, but representing Valencia CF is a very big source of pride. Valencia CF have always been a very big club, for Spain, a standout, and to be able to be here playing, with the great fans, the great ground... it's all very nice and I hope to be here for many years to come."

The support of family

"To get through the bad times, I get help from those closest to me. When you are thinking the worst, your parents are always there, above all. We've had bad times this year and my parents have helped me a lot, just like my close friends. They and your family are the people who help the most. That's why I say that football is important but family is even more so. You need to help them, because they are going to help you lots in life. When you have bad moments, they are the first to pick you up.

The importance of studies

"I was just like you when I was your age. I studied, and my parents took me to school and to football practice -because I liked it, just like you. Work hard, because school comes first. I studied until a year ago, when I got a degree, at the same time as playing football. At your age it's important to enjoy yourself playing football, but the most important thing in life is your studies. I think it's the most important thing. If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity in football, then that's great, but you have to behave well at home and study, and your parents have to be happy with you. From what I've been told, I have no doubt that this is the case. I'm happy that you're here."

 About Escoles Cor Blanquinegre

The Escoles Cor Blanquinegre activity, under the VCF Foundation, has been running since the 2015/16 season with the backing of the Diputació de València. It is an educational and motivational tool for teachers and pupils in certain schools in Valencia with a profile for the risk of exclusion.

In 2022/23 the project has a presence in 24 schools in Valencia and 2 in Alicante, with 400 direct beneficiaries and 6,000 indirect beneficiaries.

The project involves creating football teams in schools and helping the participating children undertake to improve their school performance (attendance, behaviour and effort).