Children’s dreams become a reality at Real Madrid’s footie clinic while parents get VIP treatment
“WE show respect to the players, the coaches, the ball and the goals.
“We do not lie down unless we need an ambulance.
“We NEVER handle the ball during training unless we are the goalkeeper.
“We ALWAYS tuck our shirts into our shorts!”
This is the gospel according to Real Madrid.
And to the wide-eyed youngsters being addressed by charismatic coach Acacio Jimenez, it’s a world away from the chaotic playground kickabouts they’re used to.
It’s day one of a week-long football clinic for kids aged six to 17 in Antalya, Turkey, held by the Real Madrid Foundation — the community arm of the Spanish soccer superpower.
The clinics take over a pristine complex at the 5H Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort each summer.
For our Real-worshipping son Sonny, aged ten, it’s a chance to take his skills to another level on the holiday of his dreams.
And for his sun-worshipping parents, a chance to indulge in all-inclusive decadence at a hotel so swanky it hosted the G20 summit of world leaders in 2015. Whisked to the hotel in a VIP minibus kitted out like a private jet, we arrive at the 1,200-bed Regnum keen to have a look around but as training starts at 9am, we settle for a nightcap in one of the seven bars before hitting the sack.
Next morning Sonny is desperate to get started on his quest for football immortality, but we suggest a quick breakfast first — after all, Gareth Bale wouldn’t play on an empty stomach.
But it’s hard to have a “quick” breakfast when the buffet is bigger than Ronaldo’s ego.
Endless counters manned by impeccably polite staff offer everything from cheesy Turkish pastries to cold cuts and Coco Pops. There’s even an eggs benedict chef.
I have no qualms about scoffing a calorie-laden fry-up as I know I’ll burn it off on the long walk back to our table. Fully fuelled, it’s time for Sonny to pick up his exclusive Real Madrid training kit and jump in a chauffeured golf buggy to the sports complex.
GO: TURKEY
STAYING THERE: Thomas Cook is offering eight nights at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort for two adults and one child for £1,623 per person on an all-inclusive basis, including return flights from Gatwick to Antalya on August 19 and returning on August 27.
See thomascook.com or call 01733 224808.
TRAINING THERE: The Real Madrid Football Clinic is £268 per child for guests at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort and £358 for non-guests.
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About 30 kids are taking part, mostly British, Russian and Turkish.
Madrid-based coach Acacio teaches the sessions in English and the children are split into two groups according to their age and skill level.
The older kids have 90 minutes of training in the morning, while the young group are given a separate slot in the evening.
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The emphasis is on discipline and teamwork. “Coach Aca” has no time for preening wannabes who show off step-overs and Rainbow Flicks copied from Fifa 17.
He quickly commands the respect of the kids with his fun but no-nonsense training regime.
Bad behaviour isn’t tolerated, but there isn’t much — rowdy boys tend to clam up when their teacher works for the club that won the Champions League. The kids are quickly drenched in sweat as they practise technical drills and play five-a-side games in the 38C heat.
After each session there’s a team huddle and the group battle cry “Uno, Dos, Tres, HALA MADRID!”, which makes the youngsters feel part of one of the world’s most iconic football brands.
While the kids learn how to become elite athletes, the grown-ups are back at the hotel gorging themselves on the endless food and drink that come with a stay at an all-inclusive hotel.
As well as the mother of all buffets, guests can choose from six a la carte restaurants, two lunchtime snack bars and a delightful patisserie.
The bars — including an Irish pub, a sports bar and a golf-themed boozer complete with putting green — serve premium brand spirits at no extra charge and even the minibar in the room is included in your rate.
For the rare occasions when you’re not being fed, there are four pools — including one with a wave machine and one that’s adults-only with a swim-up bar, plus a kids’ aqua park with waterslides and a “crazy river” canoe ride.
If the walk from your sun lounger to the bar is too daunting, waiting staff on roller skates patrol the area looking for anyone in need of refreshment. A “pool butler” also wanders around, although nobody can think of much for him to do except clean sunglasses (he’s living proof of the hotel’s boast that there is a member of staff for every guest).
There’s a private beach with two piers, plus watersports, adventure park, climbing wall, tennis, bowling alley, amusement arcade and a spa with a wide range of massages and treatments (not included in the price). Oh, and two 18-hole golf courses.
At night there are two huge stages with entertainment for all ages — we watch a heart-stopping motorcycle stunt show in which three bikers spin around inside a tiny spherical cage.
There’s a nightclub for the grown-ups too, although I’m content just gazing at the spectacular fountain show on the restaurant terrace, in which multi-coloured jets of water dance to Earth, Wind & Fire. You don’t see that every day.
And then, all too quickly, it’s time to go home. I’m half a stone heavier but the guilt is offset by pride in my son’s progress on the football pitch, not to mention the certificate and medal that prove he was trained by Real Madrid.
The hotel provides a free fast-track service at the airport, enabling guests to jump the queues.
I could get used to all this VIP treatment. And with Sonny now well on the way to becoming the new Zinedine Zidane, perhaps he can make it happen more often.
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