Athletic Club Bilbao
A seven day exchange program with Athletic Club Bilbao.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club Bilbao is one of the oldest professional soccer clubs in Spain. Founded in 1898, it is the fourth most successful club in La Liga. They founded a women’s team in 2000, and started a women’s academy program in 2017.
Basque Country
The Basque are an ancient culture. Their semi-autonomous community is located in the North East corner of Spain. They speak Euskara, a paleo-european language. The largest diaspora of Basque people live in Boise, Idaho.
The Program. August 31 to September 7.
We are honored that Athletic Club and the Basque community have put together this program uniquely for the Indie Chicas. The girls will train with the Athletic Club Academy ages 14-15. Participating Indie Chicas will stay with a host player, one to a family. There will be opportunities to schedule video meetings with host families, so the girls can get to know each other. The Basque community has subsidized the local cost of participants. You are responsible for the cost of international travel to Bilbao and back. There is an estimated program costs of $500 per participant. Parents are welcome to come, but will be responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements. We will evaluate if we travel as a group based on interest. Girls who are playing high school soccer may need to get permission from their school coaches to participate.
Day One
Arrive in Bilbao, meet your host family.
Day Two
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Learn the history of Athletic Club
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM Snack break
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Training with Athletic Club
2:30 PM Lunch with Athletic Club
3:30 PM Guided Tour of Bilbao with AC teammates.
8:30 PM Return to host family.
Day Three
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Learn Athletic Club style of play.
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM Snack break
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Training with Athletic Club
2:30 PM Lunch with Athletic Club
3:30 PM Visit Athletic Club Museum. Attend Basque language workshop. Explore Old Town with AC teammates.
8:30 PM Return to host family.
Day Four
Visit the city of Guernika, Boise’s sister city.
Take a boat to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (seen in Game of Thrones).
8:30 PM Return to host family.
Day Five
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Meet the Athletic Club’s professional women’s team.
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM Snack break
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Training with Athletic Club
2:30 PM Lunch with Athletic Club
3:30 PM Visit the Guggenheim Museum.
6:30 PM Return to training grounds for traditional games, customs, and dance.
8:30 PM Return to host family.
Day Six
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Basque language lab.
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM Snack break
11:30 AM to 3:30 PM Training with another local club to be announced.
3:30 PM Free time.
Day Seven
Return to Boise.