Tranmere Rovers International Soccer Academy opened their doors to an U14 elite squad from Surabaya City, Indonesia for the past two weeks.
The teenagers travelled just under 10,000 miles to Prenton Park to participate in a football development training programme with the Club.
The affiliation was developed from the Surabaya-Liverpool City region relationship and the players were specially selected from hundreds to partake in the programme.
The group of players, accompanied by their coach and a sports official, participated in an intense programme before their departure to Southeast Asia this weekend.
Within the travelling squad was youth international footballer Mochammad Supriadi, who played an integral part of the U16s Indonesian national team’s victory at the ASEAN Football Federation U16 Championship this year.
Speaking about the Surabaya City team’s visit, Daniel O’Donnell, Technical Director for Tranmere Rovers’ International Soccer Academy, explained: “They all gained a unique and exclusive insight into a professional football club and we received such positive feedback from their visit. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are situated in the birth place of the most recognised sport in the world, so what better place is there to go and experience the beautiful game?”
The Surabaya City footballers received training from Tranmere Rovers’ FA qualified coaches as well as having access to the sports science staff who created a personalised development programme for each individual.
The players trained at the Club’s first team training complex, located in Wallasey, and participated in futsal sessions at Prenton Park, the home stadium of Tranmere Rovers Football Club.
Technical Director O’Donnell continued: “Our aim is to make sure that these group of players return to Surabaya having understood English football culture and experienced western professional coaching.
"We hope they take back with them the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the Indonesian game. Alongside the current group that has visited this month from Indonesia, Tranmere Rovers and its International Soccer Academy is quickly becoming a global hub for cultural exchange.
"We are working with people from the USA, China, Inner Mongolia, Australia and many more. We would like to wish everyone from Indonesia that have visited a safe journey home."