SHALFLEET boy Charlie Hart has been handed a dream opportunity to train and play on the hallowed turf of the world-famous Bernabeu Stadium — the home of Real Madrid — following his success on a skills course run by the club's youth academy.

The 11-year-old, who attends Ryde School, took part in a special training camp run by Real Madrid academy coaches in London on Sunday.

He was one of five boys from the Isle of Wight selected to go on the Clinic Foundation selection event from over 100 youngsters who took part in a Real Madrid Academy soccer school held on the Island in August.

The camp was hosted by Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching and was held at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Cowes, over the course of a week.

The other boys who also attended Sunday's UK selection camp at Charlton Athletic's training complex, were Tyler Green, 16, of Cowes, Corey Sanderson, 14, of Sandown, Jack Mikolajec, ten, who attends Newchurch Primary School, and Dylan Whitewick, nine, of Bembridge.

The boys were part of a contingent of 48 hopefuls, aged six to 16 years, from around the UK — whittled down from over 1,000 youngsters.

Jack and Dylan, who just missed out on selection from the Island camp, had so impressed the Real Madrid coaches, they were handed a late invite to join the UK session two weeks ago.

Sunday's event comprised of a series of tournament-style matches, with coaches assessing their performances.  

Charlies's mum, Louise, said: "Charlie is quite a quiet, thoughtful boy, and when he was told he had been one of five selected to go Spain, he didn't say anything, but you could tell on his face he was over-the-moon.

"He's not one of those people who jumps up and down when he's happy.

"Charlie was playing against 16-year-olds most of the time. Whenever he got knocked down, he just got up and got on with it. There's no drama with him.

"I hope to go and watch him, but my daughter has her GCSEs in May, so I'm not sure yet — but his father, Joe, will defintely be there." 

Charlie plays football for Gurnard Storm U13s and at the Matt Le Tissier Academy in Southampton, and he also plays futsal.

Paul Marshall, of Isle of Wight Community Coaching, attended the session in London.

He said: "I’m pleased for Charlie. He will now go to the Santiago Bernabeu to represent the Island and play in an organised game. Wow!

"It’s incredible that Charlie can represent the Island and showcase his talents in another country. He gives every child on the Island hope that their dreams are possible if you seize an opportunity.

"Charlie's a very good young player. The academy coaches wil have seen how good his movement and spacial awareness was on the pitch."