2 Week Tour
15 days Start and end in Cochin
The football - 4 matches, 7 training sessions
The location - stay in vibrant cities, hill country towns and beach villages. Cruise on the backwaters, trek in the highlands and relax on the beaches
Transport by team bus, accommodation in superior hotels and resorts..
Price Was £845, now £795 includes transfers to and from Cochin airport, accommodation, all breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners, all transport, backwater cruise
Not included - flights, insurance, drinks, some meals.
Spending money needed - A?150 for meals and drinks
The Football
The first couple of training sessions are in Cochin, the team will get to know each others' game and the coach will start of with some technical sessions before moving onto some more tactical sessions focusing on defending as a team and attacking phases of play. After just two sessions, we have our first practice match against a good quality team from Cochin. The result of this one is far less important than the performance and the game will be used as a platform to improve for future games.
Our main training camp is in the cooler hillcountry in Wayanad. We will have five days of sessions where the team is truly formed. During our time here, we play one practice game against a local team in front of a passionate crowd, there is great excitement already for your arrival. On the last evening in Wayanad we have an evening game against Wayanad United under the floodlights. Practicing together every day and learning the systems will take your game to the next level and we will leave Wayanad ready to play in the big game.
The final game is in the Corporation Stadium in Calicut. The team will be ready and after playing in front of big crowds in out warm up games, the huge crowd should not faze anyone. The opposition is on a high after coasting the second division title last season, but if we play our best then victory and lifting the Anglo Indian Cup is certainly a possibility.
The Opposition
Game 1 - Custom Excise. One of the many strong teams from Cochin. Like many teams in India, this is based from a large company and this will be a stiff test for our first game.
Game 2 - Opposition to be announced soon.
Game 3 - Wayanad United. A real production line of talent, Wayanad United bring through star players year after year, many of whom graduate to the mega clubs in India in Bengal, Cochin and Mumbai. They are a very fluid team, 4-4-2 formation but every one of them is comfortable on the ball. Be careful of Shafik, a natural goalscorer if ever there was one. Plays part of the year in Mumbai and was the only player to score against AC Milan's junior team in a their recent tour of India.
Game 4 - Universal Soccer. One of the giants of North Keralan football, they bounced back in style last season to the premier league, winning every game and winning the cup final 5-0. Their star player is Prasoon, player of the year last season and scored an incredible three hatricks in three games. They play a strict 4-4-2 formation but watch out for their strikers dropping off a lot and late runs from midfield.
The Training Faciliites
The training facilities: We train at two locations. The first couple of sessions are at a facility in Cochin. The pitch is in excellent condition and the location is superb - right by the water and with a nice breeze to cool players down.
Our main training complex is in the hill country in Wayanad, this is in north eastern Kerala. The pitch is like a carpet and it is set within tea plantations. Both of our training grounds enjoy a much cooler climate than the surrounding areas so the heat will not be a problem.
The Trip
Training by the backwaters and in the tea country, matches in villages and then the big one in the 50,000 seater Corperation Stadium. Backwater cruises, journey up the Malabar Coast and treks in the hill country, the two week trip has something for everyone.
Apart from the football, there are a wide range of activities to do and sights to explore. In Fort Cochin, go sailing or check out the historical city by bike. There are many cultural experiences in town such as traditional Kathakali dancing or Seetar concerts. It is also a great place to enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many excellent restaurants. The famous backwaters are in easy reach from Cochin and we will spend our last day on the waters in a houseboat.
In Wayanad, there are lots of chances for trekking in the hills, there are several stunning waterfalls in the area and freshwater lakes. At the resort we are staying, there is a chance to get an ayurvedic massage - quite an experience.
For all the beach lovers, Kappad will not disappoint. Besides topping up the tan, there are miles of untouched beaches to explore as well as beach footy and cricket to be played as well as swimming in either the ocean or the pool.
The Accommodation
We stay in superior hotels and resorts. They are chosen for their facilities and location. All our accommodation is twin share, if you come on your own you will share with another squad member. In the cities (Cochin and Calicut) the hotels are central and extremely comfortable with great service. In Wayanad and Kappad Beach, we stay in resorts which have pools and fitness rooms.
Day 1-3 | Fort Cochin
Arrive and meet our transfer to our historic hotel in the centre of Fort Cochin. Vasco De Gama died in the house next door and the church across the street was originally built in 1510. Unlike most Indian cities, this is very quiet and peaceful and a great way to start the trip. A short walk from our hotel are the famous chinese fishing, here you can buy freshly caught fish from the local fishermen and have it cooked by the restaurants on the beach. During any spare time, hire a bike and explore the historic area or catch a seetar performance.
On the second and third morning, we will have practice sessions at our fantastic facility by the water. On the afternoon of day three, we will play our first match against Custom Excise before heading up the coast in the team bus.
Day 4-8 | Wayanad
This is the business end for the team. We are at our training camp in the hill country in Wayanad. Our facility is by tea plantations and we train everyday on tactical sessions to get us ready for the big games ahead. On day six of the trip we will play our second game against a local Wayanad team, and on day eight we play an evening game against Wayanad United - the top team in the area. Apart from the training, there is plenty to do in the area from trekking to cycling. Within the resort that we are based, you can swim in the pool, work out or enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage.
Day 9-11 | Kappad Beach
A bit of r&r as we prepare for the big game. The idylic beach resort at Kappad is our home and you can do as much or as little as you want; swim in the Arabian Sea or in the pool, play some footy or cricket on the deserted beaches, chat with the locals in Kappad village or explore the untouched Malabar Coast north from here.
Day 12 | Calicut
Here we go. After a morning team talk we catch the team bus into the centre of Calicut. This is one of India's top football cities and there is great excitement for our arrival. Get an early lunch full of carbs and then drive down to the Corporation Stadium for our match against Universal Soccer, last season's division two champions and a team renowned for bringing top players through their ranks. After the game, freshen up and end go for food and drinks by the beach with the opposition, the perfect end to the perfect day.
Day 13-15 | Fort Cochin
Leave Calicut (hopefully with trophy in hand) and head back to Fort Cochin. On our last full day, we go on a backwater trip to see what Kerala is famed for. Ride on the beautiful houseboats and see how life has been lived in these parts for centuries. It is a very peaceful way to spend our last day as we remember all the glory of the trip. On day 15, catch your transfer back to the airport.