Help Send Caleb to Portugal

Caleb, who will turn 14 later this month and who is in 8th Grade, plays travel soccer with Loudoun Soccer. Currently, he is on the Red Team, which is one of the top teams in the Club. Caleb has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old, but started to play at a really high and competitive level the past couple of years. As he has grown as a player, his ambitions started to grow and last year one of his goals was to try out for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (“VYSA”) Olympic Development Program (“ODP”) North District Player Pool, and if he made that, his next goal was to make the VYSA State Player Pool. Through his hard work and dedication, he was able to accomplish both goals and was selected to represent VYSA ODP to compete against other ODP Teams from Georgia and North Carolina earlier this month.

There are other opportunities afforded those who are selected to the VYSA ODP State Player Pool, and the biggest opportunity would be to play overseas in Europe. We are proud to announce that out of the 62 players in the VYSA ODP Player Pool, Caleb, along with 17 others, has been selected to represent VYSA ODP on an International Tour to Portugal. It is such an honor, privilege for Caleb to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia and will afford him the opportunity for him to advance his Soccer Education, as well as his personal development. An opportunity like this does not present itself often. Not everyone gets the chance to experience another culture as well as play against high level International opponents that the VYSA ODP can access. Caleb and his teammates will spend the trip playing matches, training, and experiencing the culture of Europe.

Of course, this opportunity comes at a cost. The cost of the trip to Portugal alone is $3,225.00, which covers roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations (including meals), training facilities, match day facilities, and sight-seeing accommodations. Caleb and his Team will fly into Lisbon, where they will hop on a bus to travel to Braga, which is just north of Porto. They will spend their mornings Training at world-class facilities, playing matches against top Youth Academies of certain Clubs (TBD). They will visit Porto, Guimaraes and have a possible excursion to Baiona, Spain. After their time in Braga, they will finish their tour in Lisbon, where they will continue their Training and Matches, as well as visit the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, as well as Sintra and Cascais. They will be a very busy bunch!!

In addition to the cost of the trip, there is also a training gear expense. Caleb will need to purchase training gear to include backpack, blue and silver training jerseys, training top, and travel attire. There will also be specific event gear that will be needed for this trip, such as match jerseys and warm-ups. The specific event gear has not been posted yet, so we do not know the total cost at this time, but we are anticipating a total cost of anywhere between $500.00 and $600.00.

Additionally, Parents are able to travel separately to view Training Sessions and Matches. Because this will be a first taste for many of the boys of being in a Professional environment, the Players are to remain with the team for the duration of the trip, which means that Parents need to make arrangements for hotel and transportation. My husband Ivan and I would love to make this International Trip to support our son Caleb on this wonderful Soccer Journey. Estimates for our combined flights and accommodations are $6100.00 to $6500.00. The closer it gets to our departure date, the rates increase for both airfare and lodging.

We will need to make travel arrangements by the end of January, but will gladly accept any donations through the end of February. If you aren’t able to dontate, words of encouragement and well wishes are appreciated and will be shared with Caleb.

Thank you,

The Flores Family