Young Lions experience Service life in Cyprus

The England men’s under-15s got a taste of life outside of a football environment on their recent trip to Cyprus for two international games with the host nation and USA.

The Young Lions visited the JSSU Tri-Service Station on British Sovereign Base Area territory, offering a unique insight into life and service overseas.

During their time on station, they met personnel, learned about the commitment required to serve abroad and saw first-hand the facilities and support available to British military families living on the Mediterranean island.

They also visited an RAF Cadet squadron and saw the physical training facilities the military have there, such as a padel court, bouldering wall, gym and sports pitches.

Speaking about the visit, MU15s head coach Matt Thorpe said: “Experiences like this take the players out of their comfort zone and expose them to a completely different world.

“Football development isn’t just about what happens on the pitch — it’s about character, mindset and perspective. Seeing how the military operate, the standards they live by and the responsibility they carry adds real depth to the learning experience.

“They’ve seen first-hand the structure, discipline and professionalism that goes into military life. They’ve learned about routines, preparation, teamwork and the importance of everyone playing their role.

“It’s helped them understand that high performance is built on consistency, standards and accountability — values that translate directly into football.

“It’s very inspirational. There are so many parallels — commitment, discipline, attention to detail and mental resilience. Seeing those qualities lived out every day by people in a completely different profession reinforces the standards we ask of the players. It shows them that excellence, whether in football or the military, comes from mindset, habits and dedication over time.”

The six-day trip took the group away from home for a longer period than their previous training camps as well as being overseas.

And Thorpe believes seeing how members of the military are stationed far from home to perform their roles can also aid the players’ understanding of the profession.

“Understanding the sacrifices made not just by the personnel, but by their families as well, gave them a broader perspective,” he explained.

“It helped them appreciate the support systems behind the scenes and the resilience required away from the job itself. That awareness is a powerful thing for young people.”

On the pitch, the Young Lions played out their two games against Cyprus and USA which they won by 3-0 and 4-3 respectively and Thorpe revealed that the squad adapted well throughout the trip.

“The boys have been outstanding in how they’ve approached it — not just on the pitch, but in everything around it.

“They’ve trained with real intensity, taken on information well, and shown great respect for the environment they’re in. It’s been really pleasing to see how quickly they’ve adapted and how much they’re embracing the whole experience.”