Yesterday, and in two shifts, due to the number of children enrolled, the Betis Academy Tíjola started yesterday; three days in which 135 children from the Almanzora region and from all over the province will receive training based on the conceptual foundations of the training of the Green and Whites’ academy.
The organisation has described this first incursion of the Heliópolis club in the province of Almería as «a complete success», as in 32 hours the first 70 places that were offered were sold out and then had to be doubled due to the great demand for the academy, which this year is provisionally being held at the José Juan Rodríguez stadium in Olula del Río.
For Juan Parra, general manager of the Betis Academy, «we didn’t expect that in this first contact the places would be filled so quickly; much faster than in countries like Japan or Uruguay. We know how excited the children are and in some cases they have received their registration as a Christmas present».
Juanma Reche Fernández, one of the main people responsible for the initiative reaching the region, said that they are already working to ensure that many of these children attend the next match between Almería and Betis, as well as a visit to the Benito Villamarín; «we are evangelising the Béticos of the region, there are many and it is easy to reach the families. Real Betis is a very powerful brand», says the businessman of the Group that bears his surname, one of the most important companies in Almería.
From this Tuesday until next Thursday 29th, the youngsters aged between 5 and 17 years old, will be able to train like any other child in the Betis schools, under its methodology and values, with the dream of one day becoming a professional player.