Footballers from Barnsley College’s Sports Academy claim international silverware

44 students travelled to the Catalan capital of Barcelona for the international competition, run by German organisation Komm Mit.

The trip allowed the students to test themselves against high-quality European opposition in a tournament environment, whilst taking the opportunity to experience other cultures.

On the field, the male first team finished runners-up after losing out in the final to strong German opposition in front of a packed stadium. The male first team beat the male second team on the road to the final. Meanwhile the female team returned home with the third place trophy.

There were individual honours for students Amy Woodruff and Billy Goose who finished as the tournament’s top goal scorers for their age groups.

Luke Swaby, 18, a Level 3 Sport student, said: “The atmosphere in all the games was amazing. The feeling when our team scored the winning goal in the last 16 of the tournament was immense; I’ve never felt anything like it.

“To have the opportunity to go to a tournament on such a large scale is rare, so many memories were taken away from the trip and will never be forgotten.”

Luke Forgione, Performance and Athlete Development Co-ordinator, added: “Success is sometimes measured by trophies, but the experience and development students gained from the trip is much more of a success.

“The trip will hopefully be a lasting memory for those students leaving us this year and they will look back on their time at the College fondly. For those who are returning, we hope they will be keen to register for the 2020 tournament.”