Rainford High football teams have unforgettable time playing in Madrid 

Students from Rainford High School in St Helens recently embarked on an adventure of a lifetime in Madrid, Spain. 

As part of a football-themed trip with the PE department, two Year 9 boys’ football teams and the Year 9/10 girls’ football team spent five days soaking up the sun in Madrid, visiting landmarks, enjoying local attractions, and even competing against Spanish teams. 

The first two days saw students exploring Parque de El Retiro near the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the amusement park, Parque Warner, as well as participating in football matches. 

Rainford High students cheered each other on as they played against Athletico Club Torres. The Rainford boys’ B team won the match by 2-1, with the victory goals coming from Zain El Farmawy and Matthew Jacobson. The girls’ team won by an impressive 5-1, with four of the goals coming from Jess Lightfoot and Amelie Waine. Tom Bolton and Layla Gray received player of the match in their respective games. 

The third and fourth days were some of the most memorable as students had the opportunity to train in the professional environment of the Real Madrid training ground, dressed in the team’s kit and coached by the Real Madrid coaching team. 

In addition to this, a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was held, and staff and students came together once again to support its players in a final football match against Juventud Torrejón FC. After an intense game, the result was a tie of 2-2 following goals from Matthew Jacobson, and Noah Shaw, who was selected as player of the match. 

On the final day in Madrid, time was spent sightseeing, shopping, and watching the Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona game. Staff and students also came together for an awards evening, celebrating their terrific time in Spain and appreciating the efforts and talents of players within all teams. 

Upon arriving home from the trip, positive feedback came flooding in from parents whose children had thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from the experience. 

One parent said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for an amazing trip. He’s loved it all and it’s done him the world of good to be away with his school friends. 

“The videos on Instagram are just lovely to watch, they brought a tear to my eye! It all looked fantastic, and memories have been made to last a lifetime. What a unique experience!” 

Another parent commented: “Rainford High should be proud of such a fantastic, supportive and encouraging sports department.” 

“I would just like to thank you (Mr Allen) and the other teachers that supported this trip. I can’t begin to imagine how much work went on in the background. My daughter had a fantastic time.” Said a parent of one of the players on Rainford’s girls’ team. 

Principal of Rainford High, Ian Young, was thrilled with the response to the trip: “We are absolutely delighted that our Year 9 and 10 football teams had a fantastic time in Madrid exploring the city, getting to know the culture, and of course practicing their football skills in an exciting, new context. 

“At Rainford, all of our departments are dedicated to providing the very best learning experiences that they can. We are committed to providing an ambitious and fulfilling curriculum inside and outside the classroom, so to receive such great feedback from both students and their parents fills me with pride.”