Warrawong High School soccer players train with Real Madrid Foundation
By Brooke Chandler
ABC Illawarra
Topic:Soccer
6m ago6 minutes agoMon 9 Jun 2025 at 8:26pm
Teenage boy with dark skin and features holding soccer ball, blonde girl seated next to him, both in black uniform.
Mohammed Al-aesawi and Lexi Taylor say they had the trip of a lifetime. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
In short:
Twenty students from an Illawarra secondary school have trained at one of the world's most well-known football clubs.
The international trips are led by the Real Madrid Foundation, which operates programs at two Australian schools.
What's next?
The foundation says it is expanding its presence in Australia.
Lexi Taylor was not a big soccer fan, but that changed when she heard about an extracurricular program run by one of the world's most well-known football clubs.
The Real Madrid Foundation program aims to encourage healthy habits in adolescence through soccer, and operates at two low socio-economic schools in Australia.
For the 17-year-old from Warrawong High School, in southern Wollongong, the real attraction was the chance to travel overseas.
"I always thought it was too hard … [and] I'd never be able to save that much money," she said.
But a 12-day trip to the Spanish capital was not going to happen without some hard work.
Group of students waving signs above head in spanish soccer stadium.
Students watched Real Madrid's last La Liga match of the season. (Supplied: NSW Department of Education)
All the expenses, except flights, were paid by the Real Madrid Foundation.
But Lexi said it was her responsibility to save enough money and organise her first passport, all while managing the workload of year 12.
"I would work at least six times a week," she said.
"We got my passport three weeks later than we expected which was super stressful."
Group of teachers and students standing in front of old spanish architecture.
The group had three days of sightseeing before soccer training began. (Supplied: NSW Department of Education)
At the end of last month, Lexi packed her suitcase with a jersey for star player Jude Bellingham to sign and boarded a flight bound for Madrid alongside 19 other students.
"With the deal the school and Real Madrid gave us it was finally possible, so I'm really grateful,"
she said.
Inside access
Personal development, health and physical education teacher Samantha Bell escorted the group on behalf of Warrawong High School and said they were given special access to some of Real Madrid's coaching staff and training facilities.
"The kids were blown away by the facilities," she said.
"Everything was just so immaculate. And every session we had, had specialised coaches and first aid to check in on injuries."
Blonde woman in black sports jacket, holding soccer ball, kids playing behind her.
Samantha Bell says the program teaches life lessons to students from all backgrounds. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
The students were even able to store their gear inside the club's change rooms and dress in the iconic black and white uniform.
"It felt like a real 'wow' moment for them," Ms Bell said.
"It was something they hadn't experienced before.
"They wear their uniform to school. We don't have change rooms either."
Row of teenage girls in white uniforms sitting on a bench.
Students say they were treated like professional players. (Supplied: NSW Department of Education)
Plans to meet some of Real Madrid's best players after their winning La Liga match against Real Sociedad were cancelled last minute due to the announced retirement of Luca Modric.
"[I was] a bit disappointed but at least we got to see the players train," said 15-year-old Mohammed Al-aesawi.
"Some of the players said hello to us from the balcony.
"That in itself was more than enough."
Group of teenagers on soccer field in coloured bibs
Students watched star players including Kylian Mbappé train. (Supplied: NSW Department of Education)
Growth both on and off sports field
Ms Bell said since returning to the classroom, there had been a "massive" surge in students wanting to join the Real Madrid Foundation program.
"We only took 20 students away and now our program has 55 students enrolled in it," she said.
"So we are in the process of how to re-timetable that for the school."
Group of students in sports uniform, some in wheelchairs, on basketball court.
The group played sport with other students. (Supplied: NSW Department of Education)
During their first post-trip training session last week, many students agreed the program had helped them both on and off the soccer pitch.
"I'm now saving for a car," Lexi said.
"It shows there's a lot more to life than sitting in Warrawong,"
Mohammed added.
Blonde woman in red jacket and glasses, holding soccer ball.
Victoria Ugarte coordinates the foundation's Australian partnerships. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)
Victoria Ugarte from the Real Madrid Foundation said plans were underway to expand the program into more Australian schools.
"We are talking to a Sydney school at the moment … and some in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales," she said.
Posted6m ago6 minutes agoMon 9 Jun 2025 at 8:26pm
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