Tour Operators
Tighe O'Sullivan has been coaching for the past 20 years. He is a seasoned traveler having been to 27 different countries including to Bolivia to take part in the Tahuichi Academy, Mexico for the “We Did it” Soccer Camp, and has taken kids the last ten of the last 12 years to Real Madrid. Most of his travel involves soccer in some form. He is fluent in Spanish and has been to Madrid more than 15 times in the last ten years. He hopes to share his experiences of life, culture, and soccer with you and your family. He knows this is a trip unlike any offered by any company in the world. The results have been a majority who take part in this amazing experience call it their "trip of a lifetime". He hears it anytime he runs into one of his former travelers who joins this unique "club" of people who have had their eye's opened to a different world of football/soccer.
Matthew Zatto will be going to Spain for the 4th time in his life this summer, having trained with Rayo Vallecano de Madrid in 2004/2005 through Tighe's connections in the Spanish soccer world. Matthew has been playing for Tighe's Club Marin team since he was 15 years old and now works as the Managing Director for SuperClub Soccer Tours while working full time for Tesla Motors in Palo Alto, CA. He has lived in Madrid as well as Mallorca, Spain, he is fluent in Spanish. He looks forward to to an exciting and unforgettable 2010 Summer!
The following is a list to help you answer some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have more afterwards you may contact the tour operator at anytime at
(415) 308-0603.
What is the purpose of this trip?
The purpose is for the teams, players, and coaches to participate in our programs as soccer ambassadors of the USA. The purpose is to foster goodwill, friendship, camaraderie, and understanding between our two countries. Soccer has been long been accepted and preferred as a method and tool to bring nations together.
We give the opportunity to experience top class competition, visit clubs and their training facilities. This fosters a better understanding of the game, both on and off the field. It gives a sense of soccer culture, which is not currently part of American ideas or understanding.
Why Spain?
As a country Spain is known for it history, culture, food, and soccer. At this time the Professional League (La Liga) is one of the two best in all of Europe. In the past ten years they have had seven finalists in the Champions League Final. The country offers a great climate to play in, and the people are some of the nicest you can find in all of Europe. It also gives the opportunity for kids to practice/learn what is becoming the second most used language in the world.
Why Real Madrid?
Real Madrid has just celebrated its 100th Anniversary. In past ten years they have won three Champions Leagues titles, and were named the Soccer Club of the 20th Century, as well as historically having the legends such as DiStefano, Puskas, and Gento. Their youth programs have produced players like Iker Casillas, the youngest goalie to ever win a Champions League, Guti, and many current starters in their new generation of youth. Real as clubs go, does not have anyone in the world that can stand next to them in their accomplishments.
Are the kids in the Real Madrid Camp the entire time in Spain?
The kids are not in the camp the entire time in Spain. We usually arrive a day or two before, which give them the opportunity to adjust to the time change. During this time we usually take a trip to Toledo, the former capital city of Spain, Valencia's beaches and the historic sites just outside of Madrid.
Depending upon the availability of airline departures, we usually also stay a few days after the camp is over for the kids to experience a little more of the city and culture of Madrid. This is determined once our reservations have been made. During these times the kids stay in youth hostels, which the rest of the year are filled with college students from outside the city.
Are you free to roam?
While participating in the Real Madrid Camp/Tour the kids are not allowed to move anywhere without immediate supervision. They are confined to the campus whether it is at the dormitories or at the Real Madrid facility, La Ciudad Deportiva.
In years past, when on free days away from the camp, kids have been given the opportunity to move around at times. This has been based upon the age, maturity, and parental consent. Just because consent has been given, does not mean we always allowed the kids to do so. We have always had monitors accompany the participants on our free days away from the camp.
Is it safe to travel in Spain?
Spain is a European Union country. This establishes it as a contributing member to Europe. It is a safe country to travel in, but as with all countries you will find crime. We try to avoid situations that put the kids at higher risk. We have not had any incidents since we began our trips back in 1999, but this does not mean that it cannot happen.
Traveling as we have in the past will be dealt with as the trip comes closer. We are in touch with Spain on a weekly basis, and travel arrangements to other cities will be dealt with in the most responsible and safest ways possible.
Can parents attend?
Parents can attend the trip. But, they are not allowed to visit or see their children while in the Real Madrid Soccer Camp due to conflicts of various types. If the camp is what your child is attending a separate intinery can be created for you, which can be customized to your liking. Even though you are not allowed to see your child at the camp, it can be arranged for you to see them train at La Ciudad Deportiva during sessions.
If your child is participating in the Real Madrid Soccer Tour parents can attend and participate in whatever activities that have been arranged with the tour operator. On the other hand, if the parents want to set their own intinery that is also available, and/or a combination of both.
What is the difference between the Standard, Advanced, & International Camps, and the Tour?
The Real Madrid “Standard Soccer Camp” is a two-week camp. It is geared more for the individual player who wants the Spanish soccer experience, and wants to concentrate of skills. The kids are put into a schedule from waking until they go to bed. They train in the morning with the Real Madrid youth coaches concentrating on overall technical skills, and then apply them in games in the afternoon session. At night they play in a tournament of futbol sala (5 v 5 + goalies) of mix ages/genders until bedtime.
“The Intermediate Camp” is for the “Advanced Player” who is seeking to have the highest level experience with the best Real Madrid Coaches available. Campers stay at the Universidad de Europa and train and play at the Casillas Academia de Futbol. Limited Space Available.
“The International Camp” is two full weeks of training with Real Madrid coaches 2-3 times a day at “Las Rosas” which is the facility for all Spanish National Teams. This camp is for the “Elite Player” who is seeking to have the highest level experience with the best Real Madrid Coaches available. Campers stay at and train Las Rosas. “Las Rosas” is known as one of the best international soccer facilities in the world. The living facilities are 5 Star accommodations. Limited Space Available.
All players at the “Advanced” and “International” Camps are put through rigorous testing of speed, agility, hand-eye & feet coordination and playing. Each participant is given a written evaluation of every aspect of their playing by the coaches who trained them.
“The Team Soccer Tour” is a minimum of 9 days. It is more team oriented, but the possibility of someone participating with another team is based upon availability and skill level of the child. It consists of customized training with the Real Madrid. For example, if a team wants to work on a flat back four, that can be the emphasis of their training sessions.
Also, participants in the tour will play against the actual youth team of Madrid, as well as, Real Madrid and other professional youth teams like Rayo Vallcano and Valencia. The tour is 100% custom made and can be done at any time of the year. Depending upon the timing chosen the team will also have the opportunity to see a live professional game in the legendary stadium Santiago de Bernabeu.
Can references be provided from previous parents/campers?
Upon request names, phone numbers, and/or letters written from previous attendee’s or their parents can be provided.
Is there a problem with the language barrier?
Soccer is a universal language, so in respects to training no. As for communicating with other kids from around the world, it is not really a problem either. You only have to remember that English is the official language of business, and therefore most kids at the camp have learned English since they were kids.
How is transportation taken care of?
Transportation whether it is vans, buses, trains, or metros is organized and supplied by the tour operator. We do our best to give the experiences of different types of travel, while making it as easy and affordable as possible.
How easy is communication with my child during his trip?
During the trip there is always a phone number where you can contact your child in case of an emergency. There are also always public telephones as the dormitories or just outside the youth hostels we stay at. In general we usually suggest that your child brings a calling card so the cost is up front and easy to use. Most times if you need to contact them it can be done through email with the operator, or by leaving a message where your child can get back to you. Also, this year the Tour Operator will be able to provide a phone number so parents can contact him directly.
When is soccer season in Spain?
Soccer season runs from the first weeks of August until late December. At this time it takes a break and then restarts in the first week of January, and run until mid May. This question is usually in reference to whether the kids will be able to see a game or any of the players train.
Real Madrid begins training at the beginning of the second week of the camp (the last week of July). For kids participating in the Summer Camp they may get a chance to see them come in for their check-ups, and preliminary training. For those who wish to see a game in combination with their experience you will want to concentrate more on the “team tour” opportunities. This allows you to customize the trip to include a game with the dates you want.
When are the programs scheduled?
The Spanish Federation Soccer Camp is scheduled to begin in the first week of July and run two weeks, while the Real Madrid Camp will start in the third week of July. There is also the opportunity of going the first two weeks of August, but the bulk of our American participants go in July.
The tour motto is Anytime 2009! We actually suggest that you do a combination of the two trips together. This year, for instance, there will be many individuals that will go to the Summer Soccer Camp for two weeks, followed by the tour. They are taking the time to work on their skill level, and at the same time get real games in after. This is to give the complete experience, but also in reality the largest cost of the trip is the airfare, and therefore you receive far more from the experience, whether it is language, culture, or touches on the ball.
What is the level of competition?
The level at the camp is a wide range. The kids come from all over the world. The International Camp is designed for players who are of the highest level for their given age. The Intermediate is for the serious player while the Standard Camp's level is almost recreational. If your team is participating in our Team SuperClub Soccer Tour, the level is determined by how good the team coming to Spain is. The first game to be played would be against a local team to size up competition, and of course the other games will include one against Real Madrid’s youth team.
How long are the trips?
2 weeks of camp, about 8 days/7 nights if you choose our Spanish Excursion package. Whatever your interests are, it is totally possible to customize your trip. SuperClub Soccer Tours is committed to making your dream soccer tour come true.
Where do the trips depart from?
Our main hub of departure is SFO San Francisco airport. Other arrangements can be made based upon where the individuals would be coming from, and how many there are.
Who is able to go?
Anyone can go, but as stated above, itineries may be created for those who are not allowed to participate in the activities of the Summer Camp. As for the tour, you could even bring your entire family to experience the joys of Spain.
What about age cut off and game rules?
Generally we take kids from ages 10-18 years old. If there is a child younger who wants to go we interview the child and the parents to see the maturity level of the child, and whether he will be able to attend.
What documents are required?
Two copies of birth certificate, passport, and drivers license (if available). A signed release form, and registration form filled out including any diseases or allergies the child may have.