"Our aim is to help South Korean talent to grow"

The VCF International Academies are attracting interest in all the corners of the globe, with 15 VCF Soccer Academy projects currently running. One of the latest to be launched is the VCF Soccer Academy in Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, where there is an increasing amount of attention on Spanish football, LaLiga and Valencia CF .

A few weeks ago, VCF Academy coach Rafa Fernández arrived in Busan to take charge of the running of the project, coordinating with local coaches for the training of nearly 400 players. Online publication Goal.com's South Korean edition interviewed him about his work in the city.

“The objective is to pass on Valencia CF's own training methodology, share our training methods with South Korean coaches and help young players grow together through. Above all, we want to transmit the values ​​of Valencia CF and promote a sense of belonging,” explains Fernández in the extensive interview. The coach has experience in coaching in various countries such as Germany, the USA and China.

Throughout the different VCF Soccer Academy setups that Valencia CF have established across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, the club aim to spread the Valencia CF brand and working methodology that has led the VCF Academy to be recognised as one of the five best youth systems in Europe, according to the CIES Football Observatory 2020 report. Work at each VCF Soccer Academy follows the same guidelines, adapted to the socio-cultural situation of each country.

“In Valencia, we teach players to see the big picture and understand the situation. We also inspire passion through football. In particular, the first thing we do is teach players to enjoy the game itself, and focus on education and character. We are focused on helping to turn children and young people into footballers, but also on developing them as people,” he says.

Different plans must be developed and addressed during the training programme that are appropriate to age, time and duration," comments Fernández, also saying that they have to be flexible to detect precocious talent and help children with special ability.

“Kang In was already a player of a different level to the rest, since childhood, and always competed with children older than him. From the beginning it was very clear that he would become a professional player.”