Archived News

Truro College Football Team Competes in Japan

30th March 2011

Students from Truro College returned home on Thursday from their 10-day trip to Japan after taking part in the International Sanix football tournament.

More than 20 youngsters from the college left Cornwall just days after the country was struck by disaster.  They spent 3 days in Hong Kong before travelling to Fukuoka in the south-west of the country where the tournament was held, over 900 miles away from areas hit by the earthquake, tsunami and damaged nuclear plants.

The college consulted with a number of key advisors before taking the decision to proceed with the trip and continued to closely monitor the situation and review the decision whilst they were out there.    "We decided on the basis of all that information that the visit could progress as planned without undue risks to the party." 

The college took advice from the Foreign Office, the World Health Organisation, the UK government’s chief scientific advisor, airlines and local advice from the area, as well as the tournament’s organisers and ensured parents were continuously updated.

The 16 and 17 year old players were due to compete against teams from New Zealand and Korea, but unfortunately both teams withdrew leaving Truro College the only international team to compete.  Tournament organisers were keen that the event still went ahead and were delighted to welcome the youngsters when they arrived.

The College kicked off the opening game of the tournament and won 2 of the 6 matches they played.  “This has been a fantastic experience for the students, they all really enjoyed it and we were overwhelmed by the enormously warm reception we received from the Japanese teams” said Mike Vanes, Head of Football at the college.

Truro College organised a series of fundraising events to raise the £1,250 needed to send each youngster.