Knox footballers experience football fever in Argentina

Watching a South American Champions’ League game, learning to play football with South American ‘flair’ and playing against local teams were among the highlights of Knox Grammar School’s recent Football tour of Argentina.

Twenty-eight Knox students from Years 10 to 12, supported by their coaches, spent two weeks touring Argentina, immersing themselves the South American culture of football.

“South America, Argentina specifically, is one of the biggest footballing nations of the world and is home to the best players in world football with names such as Messi, Aguero and Dybala,” said Year 12 student Finn Harricks.

Throughout the trip, the boys played against local teams such as Boca Juniors, Banfield and Estudiantes, with the Knox teams having close games including a 5-5 draw with Banfield.

“They play a very different brand of football over there and all of the youth coaches from the big clubs who had sessions with us gave us a taste of the style they want their players to play,” said Finn. “

They put a lot of emphasis on losing your player before receiving the ball and this for me was the biggest thing I could take back to improve my game; it can be that one second that you make by losing your player that can make all the difference."

The trip was also a great team bonding experience for the boys ahead of the winter football season, which commenced at the start of the term.

“The trip has brought everyone closer together; we left Argentina as a tight knit group with the various activities and the countless hours spent patiently waiting for delayed or cancelled flights. It was an experience like no other and all the precious memories made on the trip I’m sure all the boys will cherish for a lifetime.