Coomera Anglican College’s Football Academy hosted Soccer teams from Chengdu, China on Thursday 19 September 2019 as part of the Sister-Cities Youth Soccer Program that was established following the Sister City Agreement signed by the Mayors of the City of Gold Coast and Chengdu in May this year. 

This reciprocal Sporting Program has been created to benefit the youth of both cities and to enrich cultural understanding and relationships through sport.
 
Fifteen boys, fifteen girls and staff will spend ten days exploring the Gold Coast with Tyler International, experiencing many of the attractions and undertaking soccer games, one which will be played against Coomera Anglican College’s Football Academy team.

The Coomera Anglican College Football Academy – CACFA has been established under the auspices of the Gold Coast Football Academy. Students who display identified football talent have access to additional coaching, to enable students to achieve personal best and progress to elite levels of competition.

Head of Sport at Coomera Anglican College, Anthony Hall identified that this opportunity was of great benefit to students from both cities.
 
"Our model for the academy is to provide the best opportunity for our students to learn multiple facets of the game on individual, unit team and squad levels,” said Mr Hall.

“We employ a range of different coaching and training strategies for our teams, and the opportunity to play against Chengdu is a great development opportunity for all involved.

“I am excited for the personal growth opportunity that this provides our students and look forward to them developing strong relationships with the Chengdu players”. 

The Sister-Cities Youth Soccer Program is partially funded through Study Gold Coast thanks to their Vision 2020 fund. Coomera Anglican College works closely with Study Gold Coast in the development of international opportunities for the College.

Foundation Principal Dr Mark Sly acknowledges that these type of opportunities are part of the growth mindset that has been embedded into the College.
 
“Our College is very much focused on a growth mindset for our students, teachers and staff. As a community we are actively working on embedding this into our curriculum and immersion and cultural opportunities is high on our agenda,” said Dr Sly.

“I attended Chengdu for the signing of the Sister-City agreement with Study Gold Coast earlier this year, and I am returning directly after this game with a cohort of our own students as part of the cultural exchange program. I look forward to developing our relationship with Chengdu over the years to come”

Coomera Anglican College is working with Tyler International and Study Gold Coast for the implementation of this program.

The friendly soccer game was held on Thursday 19 September at Coomera Anglican College. The Girls team played at 12:45pm with the Boys team at 1:40pm. 

CAC Boys won, with a draw between the girls.

Good job CACaburras!