A GROUP of teenagers will be tackling jet lag as well as eager opponents when they embark on five-day football tour in China.

Pupils from Furtherwick Park School in Canvey have jetted off to the city of Changzhou, near Shanghai, for a trip made possible with funding from the island’s Rotary Club.

The team, mostly 14 and 15-year-olds from Year 10, will take on youngsters from two schools in Changzhou, more than 5,000 miles from Canvey.

This is the second visit to Furtherwick Park’s Chinese partner school and teachers say it will prove a vital chance for youngsters to learn first-hand about the Chinese culture and language, as well as forging new friendships with Chinese children of their own age.

Canvey Rotary Club donated £800 towards the cost of the trip.

Deputy headteacher John Houghton said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the young people of Canvey to experience a culture so different to our own.

“It will leave them with lasting memories of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play football and be young ambassadors for the school, Canvey and Essex.

“We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of Canvey Island for its significant contribution which has help make this trip possible.”

The youngsters boarded a plane bound for China on Saturday, along with school staff and Rotarian James Kellard, who is also vice-chairman of Furtherwick Park’s governors. The adults hope to learn from what they see at the Beijiao School in Changzhou.

And some time next year, the Canvey school is hoping to return the compliment, by playing host to a team of young people from Changzhou.