Global Football | April 10, 2023
On May 15, 2023, the Central College football team of Pella, Iowa will embark on the trip of a lifetime with Global Football when they tour the wondrous Mediterranean county of Spain. Their journey will begin in Madrid where they will explore the historic capital city, including an active bullfight arena. The nearby town of Toledo will welcome the Dutch as players and families learn the ancient skill of knife and sword making. After 3 days in the central highlands the team will head East towards the verdant seaside with a stop in Zaragoza. The coastal resort of Sitges awaits Central College football with one of the most picturesque settings anywhere. Just an hour north is Barcelona, a hotbed of culture and history, is always a memorable respite for any traveler. The tour highlight, as with every Global Football tour, will be the Dutch game against a Spanish team, led by Uroloki head coach Marcos Guirles. The former NFL Europe National coach and Global Football leader Patrick Steenberge first met in 1997 when the Barcelona Dragons trained and stayed in Sitges.
Partnering with On Location, this is the fifth time Central College will be traveling with Global Football internationally. Previous teams have experienced Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Austria from the years of 2004-2018.
Central College Dutch has not had a losing season since 1920 and have won a record of 32 conference championships. Their head coach, Jeff McMartin is entering his 20th season at Central and was the AFCA Division III Coach of the Year in 2021. When asked about the upcoming trip, Coach McMartin stated: “It’s an opportunity for our players to have an international experience, something that’s been a part of the legacy of Central football since 1985 when Coach Ron Schipper led a trip to England. It gives our guys another chance to continue to develop and grow closer together. It’s a tremendous opportunity and we’re really looking forward to this chance to go to Spain.”