RIASA Head to Malta for 2025 European Showcase Tour
Author: Richmond American University London
With the end of the season quickly approaching, it’s finally time to announce our annual European Showcase Tour destination!
From the 12th-16th of March, we will be heading to the sunny Mediterranean island of Malta for our 2025 Showcase Tour, where our student-athletes will have the incredible opportunity to train, compete, and experience football in a brand-new environment. Fans of RIASA will remember last year’s unforgettable trip to snowy Finland, with this year’s excursion providing a fantastic contrast in terms of the climate and experience.
Over the course of the trip, we will face high-level opposition, make use of top-class facilities, and immerse ourselves in the island’s rich sporting culture. This tour is a key part of the RIASA experience, giving players the chance to test themselves against international competition while showcasing their talents on a wider stage.
Here’s everything we’ll be getting up to during our 4-night stay:
We kick off the trip with an early morning departure from Leeds, flying into Malta International Airport and travelling to the town of St. Julian’s, just a short drive from the island’s historic capital of Valletta. St. Julian’s will act as our base camp for the trip, with the stylish Hotel Valentina providing our accommodation and food for the tour.
During the stay, the squads will be training at the facilities of Maltese side Pembroke Athleta FC, with our first session taking place on the evening of our arrival. This will give the players a chance to shake off any travel fatigue, get a feel for the new climate, and prepare for the days ahead.
On Friday, we’ll have another two-hour training session at Pembroke Athleta FC in the morning, before taking a trip to Valletta in the afternoon, giving the squad time to explore and take in the stunning surroundings before regrouping for dinner.
Matchday arrives on Saturday with two highly anticipated showcase fixtures at Zurrieq Football Ground. The first squad will take on Mgarr Utd U19s in the afternoon, while the second squad will face Melita FC later in the day. These matches provide an invaluable opportunity to compete against international opposition and compete in a brand new environment. After a final morning meal on Sunday, the squad will check out and head to the airport for the journey back to the UK.
Be sure to catch both games and much more daily content on VEO Live, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube! We can’t wait to get started – Malta, we’re ready!
