Trip To Turkey: 6^th -  20^th January 2010

As mentioned in previous programmes the Youth Squad went to Turkey for a training camp in January.The squad was mainly made up of full time youth players but there were a few players from the u17 squad. The visit was funded by the EU Da Vinci programme and organised through the SFA.

The squad were based at the Topkapi Palace hotel near Antalya and the training was done at the nearby Word Of Wonders Sports Grounds. The hotel was first class with a host of facilitieswhich were available to us to maximise the benefits of our stay including a gymnasium, swimming pool and shock pool.

The training facilities were also excellent with a number of grass pitches which were all in excellent condition and remained that way despite some heavy rain over a number of days.

In addition to the training sessions which were two or three times daily we also played two games - one a third division Turkish team and the other a senior Khazakstan team. Although we lost both games, 3-1 and 4-2 respectively both were keenly contested games against different styles of play.

During the visit we also visited a number of local markets and the Antalya Museum.

All in all a very worthwhile trip from all points of view particularly given the weather back here at that time.