Saturday Italian football club AS Roma began their inaugural Winter Training Session at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the club’s inaugural winter training, December 29, 2012 through January 1, 2013.
As part of a six-year partnership with Disney, the three-time Italian Serie A champions hold training sessions open to the public, in conjunction with Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the premier youth soccer tournament for college recruitment in the United States.
“The facilities are tremendously impressive,” said Franco Baldini, director general of football operations for AS Roma. “The ability to come here to train at this state-of-the-art complex in good weather during the Serie A winter break will be a big advantage.”
AS Roma’s involvement underscores the sports complex’s stature as the nation’s top youth soccer venue, which annually hosts pro soccer events as well as many of the country’s most prestigious youth soccer tournaments.
The joint venture also integrates the Italian football club, winner of nine Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana crowns, into the U.S. youth soccer market, where it hopes to expand its fan base.
Part of their Saturday training session, included a 30 minute clinic with two teams participating in Disney’s Soccer Showcase. It was really great to watch these professional soccer players share their love of the game and techniques with these young players.
All AS Roma training sessions are open to the public with paid admission to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, daily admission is $16.00 (ages 10 & older) and $11.00 (ages 3-9). This is really a unique experience to see amazing soccer in an intimate setting, because you can watch from the sidelines! If you are looking for the AS Roma team, check here.
If you are a soccer fan or have little ones that play soccer, you will definitely want to swing by and take in a training session!
You can find some pictures that I took on our Facebook page here!
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