A young Brentford team are in Portugal as part of their preparations for the 2015/16 season.Brentford’s Under-18 squad flew out at the weekend and will be in Portugal for two weeks.The Youth Team will be staying in Villamoura and getting ready for the upcoming season with warm-weather training and a tournament.The Bees drew 3-3 with Portimonense in a friendly on Tuesday, 14 July. The goals came from Courtney Austin, Danny Parrish and an own goal.The match was build-up to a four-team tournament which starts on Sunday, 19 July.Brentford will play Sporting Club Olhanense while in the other semi-final Sheffield Wednesday will play Portimonense.The two winners and two losers will face each other next week to decide the final places.The trip has been paid for by funding supplied under the Erasmus Plus initiative.Education, training, youth and sport organisations across all sectors can apply for Erasmus funding to offer opportunities to their staff and learners and to take part in innovative projects.Brentford’s Category Two Football Academy sought money to enable them to send their Youth Team players to Portugal ahead of the Under-18 Professional Development League season, which starts next month.Ose Aibangee, Brentford FC Academy Director, said: “We are very pleased that we have been able to take the players away with the coaching staff. Two weeks together will enable them to get to know each other as people and players and will help them develop.“The Academy exists to provide First Team players and we want to do all we can to provide First Team experiences for our youngsters. This is one such experience that will be of great benefit to them.“We have high hopes for these lads but they have a long way to go and lots to learn. This will help them on their way.“It would be good to win matches and the tournament but it is more important for them to get experience of life as a travelling player and for them to represent the Club in the best way they can.”
