WorldStrides Sports was founded by Eric McAleer in 1998 when he began taking school and club teams to the United Kingdom during the summer. Those early days set the foundation for WorldStrides Sports—to provide the many benefits of international travel to all players. Now, WorldStrides’ sports division helps an average of 3,000 players, coaches, and families travel per year. Even better, 90% of our first-time travelling teams return to take additional trips with us!
Eric was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland and is a former professional soccer player, national youth team player, physical education teacher, high school coach, and now the Senior Vice President, WorldStrides Sports.
When Eric was in his 10th grade, he had the opportunity to travel with his high school soccer team to Switzerland for a week-long soccer and cultural experience – it was his first time out of the UK. He played many soccer games against local Swiss high schools, enjoyed post-match social gatherings, did some daily sightseeing and enjoyed the beauty of Switzerland. He shares, “Endless games of table tennis were played at night, we were busy during the day, and we embraced all that their culture had to offer.”
It was at this moment that inspired his love for travel and reinforced his passion for competitive sports, “My eyes had been opened and my curiosity levels kick-started. With soccer being the world’s global sport, a common “language” spoken in every country in the world, my journey had begun. It continues to this day, and my curiosity factor – and my “why” – just keeps going.”
“The varying levels of passion for the game intertwined with the cultural differences throughout the world make this journey nothing short of fascinating. Soccer breaks down the barriers of language, race, creed and colour. Soccer gives hope to millions and brings people together like no other sport.”
Learn more about our new soccer tours coming soon to Australian schools and teams!
