Volunteering at the SURF Cup International in Salou: A Life-Changing Experience
From November 27th to December 1st, I (Monika Jacobi) had the incredible opportunity to join the volunteering team at the SURF Cup International in Salou, Spain. Over these exciting days, we—students from ESBS Valencia—stayed alongside other volunteers, youth teams, and coaching staff at a beautiful resort near the football fields where the tournament took place.
Witnessing High-Level Youth Football – What is the SURF Cup International?
The SURF Cup International is a prestigious youth football tournament that brings together some of the best boys’ and girls’ teams from around the world. Held annually, it serves as a platform for young talent to showcase their skills in a highly competitive environment.
One of the highlights of this experience was watching incredible boys’ and girls’ teams from U12 to U19 compete at a high level. Featuring teams from elite academies like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Mineiro, Sporting CP, Benfica and Porto, the tournament offers players the chance to compete at a high level while providing an unforgettable experience for participants, volunteers, and spectators alike. Seeing these future stars battle it out on the field was truly inspiring.
Our daily responsibilities as volunteers
My role as a volunteer involved a variety of tasks that kept me engaged throughout the event. These included:
- Preparing materials for players’ warmups.
- Monitoring game statistics, including goals, fouls, wins, and losses.
- Maintaining communication with the event’s management team.
- Ensuring the teams and their coaching staff were supported and taken care of during the matches.
Building Connections at ESBS
Beyond the thrilling football action, I cherished the chance to connect with fellow ESBS students from the bachelor’s program. Living and working together over these few days helped us bond and form lasting friendships. Back in Valencia, it’s heartwarming to see familiar faces around campus, knowing we shared such a meaningful experience.
Reflections of the experience
Volunteering at the SURF Cup International in Salou was a demanding yet rewarding experience. While the long hours required dedication, the new friendships I made and the insights I gained into international sports events made it all worthwhile. I’m excited to apply the skills and knowledge I developed to future opportunities in the world of sports management.
