Roger Bacon Girls’ Soccer to Travel to Ireland in August 2027 as Part of New “Spartans Beyond Bacon” Initiative

The Spartans will travel to Dublin and Galway for an international soccer and cultural experience, launching a new initiative designed to create expanded opportunities for Roger Bacon student-athletes.

The Roger Bacon girls’ soccer program is going international!

Roger Bacon High School is excited to announce that the girls’ soccer program will travel to Ireland August 8–16, 2027, for an unforgettable experience combining soccer, cultural exploration and team-building. The trip will take the Spartans to Dublin and Galway, providing student-athletes with an opportunity to experience another culture, grow together as a team and represent Roger Bacon on an international stage.

The trip is another example of Roger Bacon bringing its "Come Here. Go Anywhere." message to life. Through opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, Roger Bacon encourages students to embrace new challenges, explore the world around them and discover what's possible when they take advantage of the experiences available to them. The girls’ soccer program's journey to Ireland is one more way students can make the most of their time as Spartans while preparing for all that lies ahead.

The Ireland trip will also serve as the inaugural experience of Spartans Beyond Bacon, a new initiative within Roger Bacon's athletics program designed to create unique opportunities for student-athletes through team travel and experiences beyond their everyday athletic routines.

An Unforgettable Experience in Ireland

For the Spartans, the August 2027 trip will be about much more than soccer. Through an experience organized in partnership with WorldStrides, the team will have the opportunity to explore two of Ireland's most recognizable cities, experience the country's rich history and culture, and see firsthand the role soccer plays in communities around the world.

From the streets of Dublin to the coastal charm of Galway, the journey will give players the chance to experience a different part of the world alongside their teammates. The combination of athletic experiences, cultural exploration and time together will create memories that extend well beyond the soccer field.

"We are intentional about creating opportunities for our student-athletes that extend beyond the field or court," said Principal Tim McCoy '02. "Opening our girls’ soccer team's 2027 season in Dublin, Ireland, gives our players the chance to experience another culture, build stronger relationships with their teammates, and make memories they will carry long after their time at Roger Bacon. This trip reflects our commitment to putting students at the center of what we do. When we say, 'Come here. Go anywhere,' we mean it."

Creating New Opportunities for Spartans

The Ireland trip is the first chapter of Spartans Beyond Bacon, an initiative reflecting Roger Bacon's continued commitment to strengthening its athletic programs and enhancing the overall student-athlete experience.

Through Spartans Beyond Bacon, Roger Bacon hopes to provide athletic programs with opportunities to pursue meaningful team travel experiences. While the experiences may look different for each program, the goal is to give student-athletes opportunities to grow and create lasting memories both on and off the playing field or court.

"We have two overarching goals for our student-athletes," said Director of Athletic Development and Strategy Brian Neal '90. "First, we seek to use participation in athletics as an extension of the educational experience, helping students develop character, leadership, resilience, and other valuable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Second, we strive to provide a first-class student-athlete experience, creating meaningful relationships, lasting memories, and opportunities that leave a lifelong impact on every student who participates in our programs. We think that the Spartans Beyond Bacon initiative helps us accomplish both of those goals."

The Ireland trip marks the beginning of what Roger Bacon hopes will become an ongoing series of experiences for its athletic programs. Whether traveling internationally or exploring opportunities closer to home, Spartans Beyond Bacon will continue to create new possibilities for student-athletes during their time at Roger Bacon.

For the Spartans, the countdown to Ireland has officially begun. For Roger Bacon athletics, it's the start of something even bigger.