A day to remember for the U-16s who train with their senior team role models

The U-16 National Team players will never forget the evening of April 1st, where they first enjoyed the 1st "Role Models" Conference, then watched Montse Tomé’s squad train, and finally shared a friendly and engaging talk with the senior team.

They began the afternoon at the Luis Aragonés Hall, attending the 1st RFEF "Role Models" Conference. This initiative, launched by the Royal Spanish Football Federation for International Women’s Day, promotes equal opportunities in football and society as a whole. The U-16 players and coaching staff listened closely to this first talk as part of the "Of Course I Can" programme.

They heard from two coaches: Irene Ferreras, coach and member of the RFEF Board of Directors; and Sofía Ruiz, coach of CD Getafe Femenino. Representing the refereeing sector were Alicia Espinosa, international referee; and Kovari Mohammad ‘Misty’, referee in the First Regional Division of the RFFM.

Alongside them were club directors María Suárez, General Director of Oviedo Fútbol Femenino and RFEF Board Member; and Ana Rodríguez Quirós, President of Club Futbolellas CFF and the Women's Football Committee of the RFFM. Finally, two futsal players also took part: Irene Córdoba, international with the Spanish Futsal National Team; and María Rollón, player for the Spain U-17 Futsal National Team.

They spoke about their careers, dreams, and shared advice to inspire future generations. The U-16 players took notes, engaging in a space that encouraged an exchange of experiences and valuable lessons.

But Laura del Río’s squad’s day did not end there. Afterward, they attended the Senior Team’s open training session, sitting in the stands of Pitch A at La Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas to watch how the internationals prepared for their upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League qualifiers against Portugal.

The young players observed the World Cup winners in action, witnessing how they train, work hard, and fight for every ball in every session. Immediately afterward, the U-16 squad completed their own training session under their coaching staff’s guidance.

Youth categories provide an opportunity to ensure the playing philosophy of the National Team is ingrained in every player from the very beginning. Everyone shares the pride and honour of wearing the Spanish badge, from the youth teams to the senior squad. Moreover, after training, they all came together for a special discussion, where the U-16 players sat at round tables with their role models and wrapped up what was an unforgettable day for them. 

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