Precor U-16s head to Youth Football World Cup

Precor’s Dubai-based under-16s football team is competing in the 2011 Gothia Youth Football World Cup, held in Gothenburg, Sweden from July 17–23.

Sponsored by Precor for the last three years, it is the only team representing the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Coached and managed by Precor’s Dubai-based sales director, Derek Burke, the Precor U16 team is made up of 22 players from 10 different countries.

Burke took on his role with the team, which began as an U7s club in 2002, after his son Jake started playing for them.

It has since evolved into a very accomplished group of talented young players, eager to take on new challenges at home and abroad.

Ahead of the tournament Burke said: “We’re heading to the tournament with a stronger team than ever before and I like to think we stand a good chance. If they play to the best of their abilities, the Precor U16 players are a match for anyone.”

The Precor team has won every junior tournament they’ve entered over the last five years and already competed in the Youth World Cup twice, making the quarter-finals in 2009 and the last 16 a year ago.

The team has also been competing against the Dubai Adult league to prepare themselves for this year’s competition.