Football with Legends: Valencia’s Easter Camp for Kids

Easter holidays in Valencia are great news for children — and a headache for parents. Schools close for almost two weeks, but work doesn’t stop. The first thought is to sign your child up for a Valencia CF or Levante football campus. The second is to realise that the places are already gone. But there’s another option that far fewer people know about. Every Easter, the Valencia CF Former Players’ Association runs a three-day camp at its football school in Alaquàs. And the children aren’t coached only by qualified trainers — they’re taught by people who have played in La Liga and represented Spain. Luis Milla, Nando Martínez, Juan Sánchez, and the association’s president, Fernando Giner, whom La Cotorra spoke to about what these camps are really like.

“The Easter campus is, above all, about having fun. Three days is too short for serious technical training, so the main goal is for the kids to enjoy themselves — and if they improve a few football skills along the way, even better. It’s not just children who already play football — some come simply because they like sport, being outdoors, and meeting other kids. Alongside football, there are group games and team activities,” Giner says.

As well as the Easter campus, the association runs Christmas and summer camps, plus football tournaments. The summer one is a different story entirely. It’s called Leyendas del Valencia CF, lasts a full week, and takes place from 28 June to 4 July in Alcalá de la Selva — a village in the province of Teruel at an altitude of 1,300–1,400 metres above sea level. Think mild mountain climate, natural grass pitches, and a full-board hotel right on the sports complex.

“Capacity is 100 people. We get kids from Zaragoza, Teruel, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Luis Milla is from Teruel — he’s the face of our campus,” Giner says.

The programme isn’t limited to football: it also includes hikes, a swimming pool, basketball and padbol, so it can suit children who simply enjoy sport and an active lifestyle. The camps are also open to children who don’t speak Spanish: some coaches speak English, and a group from Canada is expected at the summer campus this year.

“It matters to us that children feel close to Valencia CF. Those who already support the club will feel it even more. And those who support another team will still connect with the values football stands for: teamwork, commitment and discipline. We share our experience with them and explain that reaching the top is wonderful — but it takes effort, sacrifice and character. That helps them understand what’s really behind the words: ‘I want to be a footballer’.”

For families thinking about football more seriously, there’s another important point. The school where the camps take place operates under an agreement with the club: if the coaches spot a child with the right potential, they can be invited to join Valencia CF’s academy. According to Giner, it happens every year.

“During the season, the club regularly holds sessions for children from our school at Ciudad Deportiva. They train there, play matches, and the club’s staff watch them in person. The club keeps an eye on our 400 students and has a direct way to invite anyone they see as promising.”

The Easter campus is for children aged 7–13 and takes place in Alaquàs.

The summer campus runs from 28 June to 4 July in Alcalá de la Selva, costing €590 including accommodation and meals.

More details on conditions and registration are available on the association’s website.