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RCD Espanyol de Barcelona crosses the globe: New Zealand Academy
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona is set to make history once again by reaching the farthest city from Barcelona: Auckland, New Zealand, a staggering 19,202 kilometers away. The club, renowned for its 100+ years of excellence in youth football development, will develop with a local partner a new RCD Espanyol Academy in Auckland, bringing Barcelona’s elite training methods to the other side of the world.
This milestone marks a historic step for the club, as Auckland becomes the most distant city to embrace Espanyol’s prestigious football philosophy. Alan RCDE Academy partner says: “This collaboration aims to exchange ideas and create lasting synergies, bringing Barcelona's football expertise to the vibrant sporting culture of New Zealand”. At same time, "Our model has proven successful across continents, and now we take pride in sharing it in New Zealand," stated Albert Saus, Head of International Partnerships. "Auckland represents an incredible opportunity to learn, to inspire and develop talent while expanding the Espanyol legacy globally."
The Academy will implement the successful RCD Espanyol training methodology, offering for example young players in New Zealand access to elite coaching, regular visits from Barcelona-based staff, and the leadership of an official RCDE director.
RCD Espanyol’s international growth highlights the increasing global interest in the club's unique approach to player and coaches development, being in 2014 the Spanish football club pioneer sharing worldwide the know-how.