Players, coaches, parents and family members from the North Shore United U14 boys enjoyed an amazing trip to Wales and England over spring break in a strong affirmation of NSU's partnership with Swansea FC.

Swansea has defied many experts in its first season in the English Premier League; the Swans have 42 points in 34 matches and are all but assured of spending at least one more season in the world's top soccer league.

Against that backdrop, the NSU team journeyed overseas for a week of playing, training and eyes-wide-open sightseeing.

Certainly one of the trip highlights was a match against the Swansea U14s from the club's Centre of Excellence training program. North Shore impressed all the observers — including club chairman Huw Jenkins — with a possession-based style that resulted in a 5-3 defeat.

Off the pitch, the EPL schedule allowed the boys to see not one but two Swansea matches. The Swans lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in Wales and then 3-0 to Queens Park Rangers in midweek. Despite the defeats, the opportunity to see this incredible level of soccer in person was remarkable.

Among many other highlights of the trip, the players and their chaperones:

• Received a private tour of Swansea's Liberty Stadium
• Attended a private practice of the EPL club and were addressed by Swansea's manager Brendan Rogers
• Watched two matches of the Swansea U18 team
• The team's goalkeeper received two private coaching sessions from the Wales national team goalkeeping coach.

You can read more details at the parents' blog from the trip. More information about the partnership with Swansea is coming