Soccer teams spend spring break in Europe

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — In early March, the Central College men’s and women’s soccer teams got the chance the compete against amateur European teams, while also enjoying the sights across the pond.

The men’s team traveled to England, while the women’s team flew to the land of the Dutch, the Netherlands.

“Going to Europe really helped connect our team and I got to learn more about my teammates,” said Sydney Canney (freshman, Adel, ADM HS). “Just traveling together and sharing those experiences helped us grow a lot in who we are as a team and what we will come back to in the fall season.”

The men’s team played St. Clement Danes to a 1-1 draw in between losses to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and Loughborough University.

“The main thing we got from it was being able to play against different English teams and seeing their level and different style of play,” said Ian Meentemeyer (junior Hartsburg, Mo., Southern Boone County HS). “They were really tough and all of the teams we played were really good. It was an eye-opening experience.”

The women were 0-2-1 against Dutch amateur teams SKV Wageningen, SC Woezik, and the V.V. Trekvogels.

“A highlight was connecting with the players from the other teams,” said Canney “After the games we’d hang out with them and just get to know them. I thought that was really cool to connect with them on another level rather than just soccer, even though that’s what brought us together.”

Both teams had the opportunities to train with coaches from amateur leagues.

“It was really cool to experience the different styles of how the Europeans play soccer,” Canney said. “It was really awesome to get new skills and learn new tactics from European coaches.”

The men gained similar experience.

“We practiced with Manchester United and some of their coaches; that was amazing,” Meentemeyer said. “We got to work with two of their youth academy coaches. In the few practices we have had this spring, we’ve learned from them, whether it’s a drill or technique stuff they showed us.”

The teams also got to watch professional soccer players and touring their practice facilities. The men watched the Queens Park Rangers, Rotherham, Stoke, Reading, Everton and Chelsea compete on the English stage. The women’s team saw NEC Nijmegen compete against FC DEN BOSCH in Stadium Nijmegen and SV Werder Bremen play against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Leverkusen. They also watched the women’s teams for Achilles and FC Heerenven, and toured the AFC Ajax stadium where they saw the Ajax women and FC Twente.

The women’s team explored Wijchen Castle and theAnne Frank House, toured a tulip farm and had a canal tour around Amsterdam. The Central men toured the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s birthplace and Liverpool Docks, among other British sights.

“One thing I like to tell the younger guys who ask about studying abroad is how-life changing this kind of stuff is,” said Meentemeyer. “Getting out of the country and experiencing different cultures is pretty crazy. For soccer players, it’s a whole other thing to get over there and play. It’s some of the coolest experiences you can have.”

Canney agreed.

“I’d tell anyone to take any opportunity you have to heart because I never would’ve thought I would be going to Europe with my team,” she asked. “The opportunity to experience a trip to Europe with my team and learning new things about myself, is really cool. Not everyone gets to do that.”