07 APR 2025 Kicking It Up a Notch

This term break, Year 10 student Oliver Fernandes is gearing up for an exciting adventure to Spain, where he will represent Australia in the prestigious MIC Tournament 2025. The opportunity arose after he attended a three-day soccer training academy at Greenvale United Soccer Club last July, where coaches from FC Barcelona and local scouts observed players’ skills alongside their attitude and sportsmanship.

Reflecting on his soccer journey, Oliver recalls discovering soccer while playing with friends in primary school. His passion sparked at the age of six when he joined a soccer skills academy to hone his abilities. Over the years, he has played for two clubs before finding his home at Greenvale United Soccer Club, where he has developed significantly over the last four seasons.

The academy experience was transformative. "The coaches pushed us hard over those three days, with intensive drills focusing on skill development and teamwork," he shared. Each day concluded with meetings where coaches evaluated player progress and identified standout talents.

In preparation for the tournament, he has committed to training four times a week since the conclusion of the soccer season in September 2024. These sessions have consisted of running, strength and conditioning, agility drills, ball skills, gameplay strategies, and position analysis. To ensure top performance, players have also engaged in recovery sessions at the pool and completed timed running trials, sharing their progress with the Spanish coaches.

With the tournament fast approaching, he has set personal goals of scoring at least one goal in front of international scouts and contributing significantly to the team's performance. "Playing against Olympique Marseille, the winners of last year's MIC tournament, is something I am particularly looking forward to," he said. "It will be an incredible challenge."

By participating in the MIC Tournament, Oliver expects to return to Australia enriched with new knowledge and awareness about soccer. The tournament, held between 15 April and 20 April in Costa Brava, will welcome 444 teams, with 56 competing in the U18 category. Renowned clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United will also be part of the competition, underscoring the tournament's significance as one of the largest international soccer events globally.

Living in a sports village during the tournament means the players will be independent, fostering personal growth and responsibility. "I am proud to represent Australia and New Zealand at this event. With so many fans cheering for us, I'm excited about the possibility of looking into the crowd and seeing our Australian flag," he expressed.