Wolves under-12s were one of eight English clubs to travel to Ypres, Belgium, last month to learn about sacrifices made in war and to compete in the Premier League’s Truce Tournament, where they reached the final.
The youngsters qualified for the competition for the second time in three years through the qualifiers in November, progressing through their group as leaders after victories against Liverpool, Manchester United, Leicester City and Norwich City.
The annual tournament provides academy players with the opportunity to learn about playing in competitive fixtures, but also important topics off the pitch.
The Wolves youngsters enjoyed a remarkable run to the final of the Truce Tournament – the first time a Wolves side has reached that stage - where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Belgian side Anderlecht.
They topped their group by beating Fulham and Borussia Dortmund 1-0, Club Brugge 2-0 as well as drawing with Leeds United.
They then enjoyed further success against Manchester United once again as they secured a 2-0 victory to secure their place in the final.
Academy Lead Coach Paul O’Brian said: “The Premier League Truce was a fantastic and unique tournament experience for our players. Not only did it provide valuable off-the-pitch learning opportunities, but the standard of on-field opposition also offered a highly challenging and competitive environment.
“As with any international tour we attend, it presented significant opportunities for both players and staff to grow and develop, and that must always remain the primary focus.
“From a tournament perspective, the boys competed extremely well and represented our academy with great pride. Reaching the final in a competition of that quality is something to be very proud of. While conceding late on after coming so close to winning it was gutting, it was a good learning moment for the group. Experiences like this are invaluable and will undoubtedly support their continued development moving forward.”
Their trip to Belgium was about much more than just the football though, with the players taking time to be educated on both the First and Second World Wars, which formed part of the wider Truce Project.
Work around the Truce Tournament began earlier in the year as the youngsters learned about the project’s chosen theme – this time being ‘veterans’. The group learned about former Wolves manager Major Frank Buckley and player Harry Robotham.
They immersed themselves in a series of events around Remembrance during half term week, culminating in them laying a tree in memory of the Wolves players who served in both the First and Second World Wars.
As the names of each individual were read out, it provided an appropriate end to a week of events surrounding Remembrance, which began with a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where they even got a wave from King Charles. Attending a Wolves Elders session allowed the youngsters to hear real-life stories, while a cake sale saw them raise money for the Foundation initiative.
In Belgium the group visited Ypres, where they visited the Menin Gate to attend their daily memorial service during which under-12 Jack read the Last Post and the group laid a wreath. They also visited Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest cemetery for Commonwealth Forces in the world – and Hooge Crater war museum where the players learnt about life in the trenches. At the Ypres Cloth Hall the players also took part in a quiz alongside other the other competing clubs, with two of our under-12s coming out winners!
Player Care Officer Natalie Scates, who was part of the staff on the trip to Belgium said: “We are immensely proud of the players not just of their performance on the pitch, but also how they conducted themselves off it while learning about a sensitive and important subject.
“The group learnt so much both in Belgium and back in the classroom about the sacrifices those serving our armed forces made during the two World Wars. During their visit to the war memorial they fully understood the number of British and allied lives lost and took so much information on board.
“Of course, on the pitch, for the boys to make the final is an incredible achievement and they were so close to coming home with the trophy. However, they can all be really proud of their efforts.”
