Academy learning

The Academy boys pose in front of their Beltei campus earlier today 

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will have seen thePhnom Penh Crown Academy boys in match action since the Academy opened its doors to 22 of the most talented young footballers from around Cambodia aged 13 and under. Besides the professional football coaching they receive every morning (fulfilling every schoolboy's dream), they receive a private education every afternoon at the Beltei International Institute campus near Russian Boulevard. The boys are spread over half a dozen classes depending on their ability, having come from the far corners of the country to join the Academy, and therefore having received varying standards of education up until now. The school itself has over 2,000 students and 100 staff and is one of 11 such Beltei campuses in Phnom Penh. This is obviously a big step-up for some of the boys, though out of the whole group, the star pupils are Men Piphop, In Sodavid and Orn Chanpolin. The boys also benefit from extra English-language tuition three evenings per week at their Tuol Kork dormitory, based at the club's training headquarters.

Some of the boys getting ready for their afternoon classes. School uniform is a must.