Barcelona USA Inc.

On November 18, 2005, a contingent from our Boys U15 and our Girls U16 teams will be traveling to Barcelona, Spain, to be introduced to the FC Barcelona Academy Staff. During their week-long visit they will be trained under the guidance of the Barca Staff, as well as compete in friendlies against the Academy's age appropriate teams. In addition to training and friendlies, all the kids will be treated to a tour of the premises including the stadium, Nou Camp, as well as attend the sold out Champions League Game between Barca and Werder Bremen of Germany. Our Club's representatives will also be on hand to receive our official plaque at a ceremony held at the Stadium prior to the Champions League game which will be taped and broadcasted by the local media.  This plaque will be placed at the stadium amongst all the other official affiliates to the Club. FC Barcelona is focusing its efforts to expand the Club's exposure throughout the world, and the U.S. is one of its top priorities which makes it convenient for them to get involved with our Club. This is the beginning of a relationship which we hope to further in the years to come.  

When we arrived at the Nou Camp, a contingency from the Club met us and ushered our group into the Club's reception hall where all twelve Directors of Barca's Penya dept. as well as the President were waiting for us. Also in attendance were reporters and photographers from El Mundo Deportivo, the number one sports magazine in Spain.

The President began with introductions as well as a brief discription of what was in store for us that evening. He spoke about how it was an honor for the Club to have it's first Penya from the U.S. in it's 107 years of existence. Not only the Penya (Fan Club), but our Youth Soccer Academy as well with hopes that some day in the near future one of our players would play for FCBarcelona's Academy.

He expressed his feelings, as well as the Club's, that hopefully in the near future this would be the beginning of a long term relationship that would enable the Club to enter the U.S. market.  Once all the gifts were exchanged and all the photo opps were done, we were then ushered out to the stadium, to Tunnel 76, to view the unveiling of the Calif. Penya plaque on the wall of the Nou Camp stadium. It was an emotional moment for all in attendance when the veil was lifted. The plaque was now mounted on the Nou Camp Stadium forever. For all those who were in attendance this will be a night to remember for an eternity.