In 2020, Everton Football Club announced a partnership with their Chilean namesakes, who were founded in 1909 by Anglo-Chilean footballers and named after Everton Football Club.

The partnership’s vision formed a cornerstone of the Club’s expanding international growth strategy, which has enabled Everton to increase its profile in Latin America, among other continents.

This month, 16 students and three members of staff from Everton Football College have made the 7,000-mile trip to Viña del Mar to visit the facilities and meet and interact with their first team, as well as taking part in a friendly against one of Everton’s Academy sides.

During the two-week adventure, the College also visited Everton’s local University, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, as part of a wider education partnership, where students had lectures on the geopolitics of Chile and the history of Chilean football.

In return, the College’s staff delivered presentations on Everton in the Community, Everton Free School and its Football College, marking a highly successful trip.

Steven Baker OBE, Everton Football College Principal, said: “This was a wonderful idea to cement the relationship between the two Evertons and it soon went from a pipe dream to reality.

“Our Chilean namesakes have been unbelievable hosts during our visit. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world in a work capacity and this trip is above and beyond, resulting in a life-changing trip for our students.

“We’re so, so grateful for Everton de Viña del Mar’s hospitality. They see us as their big brother, coming to visit one of the Everton family, and we are indebted to Carlos Alberto Ramirez Sánchez from the University, who has been instrumental in making this trip happen.

“There has been an educational aspect to the trip, as well as football. We’ve had a visit from a representative from the Embassy in Santiago and we are working with children with disabilities and visiting hospitals, to give Everton Football Club gifts to kids who are really poorly.

“We are taking part in international cups against different teams and, from a historical standpoint, we are the first English team, to ever come and play against Everton Viña del Mar.

“We have teenagers with us who have never been on an aeroplane before, and they are growing as people before our very eyes.

“It shows the importance of using football as a catalyst to open different avenues for these youngsters and they have embraced the culture.

“The trip has also attracted wide interest across Chile and it is a true testament to Everton’s impact across the world and the continued expansion of the Club’s international strategy.”

Everton Football College offers a wide range of post-16 educational opportunities designed to inspire and motivate students to reach their potential. The College are currently recruiting for September’s intake. Find out more here: https://www.evertonfootballcollege.com/

Everton de Viña del Mar is a member of Everton’s International Academy Affiliate Club programme, which is available to grassroots teams, professional sides, youth academies, girls’ and women’s teams, as well as colleges and universities.

Launched in 2020, the programme already has affiliates in the US, Canada, South America, Australia and Ireland.

For more details, please visit EvertonInternationalAcademy.com.