Everton Viña del Mar host English team for first time as Blues make Chile trip

Everton’s ties with their Chilean namesakes have been strengthened with a visit to the South American club by students from the Blues' Football College

Chris Beesley Everton reporter

17:00, 21 Mar 2023

Everton Football College students make friends with the academy squad after their first friendly game

Everton’s ties with their Chilean namesakes have been strengthened with a visit to the South American club.

This month, 16 students and three members of staff from Everton Football College crossed to Atlantic, Amazon and Andes to make the 14,500-mile return trip to Everton de Viña del Mar to check out the facilities and interact with the first team, as well as taking part in a friendly against one of their hosts’ academy sides. In 2020, Everton Football Club announced a partnership with the team from the Pacific coast who were founded in 1909 by Anglo-Chilean footballers and named after the Blues.

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The partnership’s vision formed a cornerstone of the club’s expanding international growth strategy, which has enabled Everton to increase its profile in Latin America, among other regions overseas. During the two-week adventure, the College also visited Everton’s local University, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, as part of a wider education partnership, where students had lectures on the geopolitics of Chile and the history of Chilean football.

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In return, the College’s staff delivered presentations on Everton in the Community, Everton Free School and its Football College, marking a highly successful trip. Steven Baker, Everton Football College Principal, said: “This was a wonderful idea to cement the relationship between the two Evertons and it soon went from a pipe dream to reality.

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“Our Chilean namesakes have been unbelievable hosts during our visit. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world in a work capacity and this trip is above and beyond, resulting in a life-changing trip for our students.

“We’re so, so grateful for Everton de Viña del Mar’s hospitality. They see us as their big brother, coming to visit one of the Everton family, and we are indebted to Carlos Alberto Ramirez Sánchez from the University, who has been instrumental in making this trip happen.”

Everton Football College staff and students are embraced by their colleagues in Chile, including Everton de Viña del Mar’s first team squad and management team

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Baker added: “There has been an educational aspect to the trip, as well as football. We’ve had a visit from a representative from the Embassy in Santiago and we are working with children with disabilities and visiting hospitals, to give Everton Football Club gifts to kids who are really poorly.

“We are taking part in international cups against different teams and, from a historical standpoint, we are the first English team, to ever come and play against Everton Viña del Mar. We have teenagers with us who have never been on an aeroplane before, and they are growing as people before our very eyes.

“It shows the importance of using football as a catalyst to open different avenues for these youngsters and they have embraced the culture. The trip has also attracted wide interest across Chile and it is a true testament to Everton’s impact across the world and the continued expansion of the club’s international strategy.”

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Everton Football College offers a wide range of post-16 educational opportunities designed to inspire and motivate students to reach their potential. The College are currently recruiting for September’s intake. Click here to find out more.

Everton de Viña del Mar, who were beaten 2-0 by the Blues in the inaugural 'Brotherhood Cup' match at Goodison Park in 2010, are a member of Everton’s International Academy Affiliate Club programme, which is available to grassroots teams, professional sides, youth academies, girls’ and women’s teams, as well as colleges and universities. Launched in 2020, the programme already has affiliates in the US, Canada, South America, Australia and Ireland and for more details, click here.

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