Miro J. V. on earning a place at Como 1907’s Elite Performance Camp

This summer, Grade 10 student Miro J. V. will travel to Italy after being selected for the prestigious Como 1907 Elite Performance Camp. Bringing together talented young players from around the world, this programme offers aspiring footballers the opportunity to train in a professional European environment while learning from experienced coaches and performance specialists.

For Miro, the opportunity marks an exciting milestone in a journey shaped by years of hard work, discipline and a passion for continual improvement.

Miro's journey with CIS began many years back. He first attended CIS Lakeside from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 3 before moving to the United States with his family. Returning to Singapore in Grade 7, he rejoined the CIS community and has balanced his studies with an increasingly demanding football schedule.

Currently a member of the Tanjong Pagar Under-19 squad in the Singapore Youth League while also representing CIS, Miro trains four to five times each week alongside regular gym sessions. Managing these commitments while completing the IB Middle Years Programme has taught him valuable lessons in time management, perseverance and self-discipline.

His football journey began at an early age with his father. "When I was young, my dad would take me out to the fields and we would spend hours kicking the ball around," Miro recalls. "Those early experiences made me fall in love with the game."

As his family moved between countries, football continued to provide opportunities to learn, compete and grow. With every new experience, Miro became increasingly determined to challenge himself against stronger competition and continue developing as a player.

That determination led him to apply for the Como 1907 Elite Performance Camp. The selection process was highly competitive, requiring applicants to submit highlight reels that were reviewed by senior football figures, including World Cup winner Raphael Varane and Como's Head of Development, Osian Roberts.

Learning that he had been selected was a moment he will never forget. "I was very happy," says Miro. "Knowing that people at that level of world football had seen potential in my game was a huge honour."

For Miro, the opportunity also represents the culmination of years of support from his family. "My parents have sacrificed a lot to help me pursue football," he says. "Being selected for this camp means a lot because it shows that all of that hard work is leading somewhere."

The camp will bring together talented players from around the world, something Miro is particularly excited about. Having previously trained with HJK Helsinki's Under-17 squad in Finland and worked with coaches from Blackburn Rovers in England, he understands the value of learning in elite football environments.

"I'm excited to test myself against top players and experience different styles of play," he says. "I also want to build relationships with coaches and players who share the same ambitions."

During his time in Lake Como, Miro hopes to further develop his tactical understanding of the game and improve his decision-making speed under pressure. "Italian football is known for its organisation and tactical awareness," he explains. "I want to learn how to better read the game, make quicker decisions and take advantage of smaller spaces on the field."

Beyond football training, the programme includes performance analysis, nutrition guidance and sports psychology workshops. Miro is especially looking forward to learning more about the mental side of performance. "At a high level, confidence and focus are just as important as technical ability," he says. "I'm looking forward to learning how to perform under pressure, stay focused and bounce back from mistakes."

Throughout his journey, CIS has played an important role in supporting his development as a student-athlete. One of his proudest moments came during the 2025 season, when he helped the CIS Under-16 team achieve the school's first undefeated season while finishing as the team's top scorer with seven goals and six assists in six matches.

"That experience taught me how to handle pressure and what it means to dedicate yourself to the success of the team," he reflects. "The international environment at CIS has also helped me become comfortable adapting to different people and cultures, which will be valuable in Italy."

Miro also believes that many people underestimate the commitment required to compete at a high level. "People often only see what happens during matches," he says. "What they don't see are the hours spent training, recovering, managing injuries, focusing on nutrition and balancing everything alongside school."

When he returns from Italy, Miro hopes to bring back not only new football knowledge and professional habits, but also a broader perspective gained from working alongside coaches and players from around the world. "I want to bring back what I've learned and apply it to my own game," he says. "I also hope to share some of those experiences and insights with others, especially what it takes to train in a professional football environment."

As Miro prepares for this exciting opportunity, his achievement reflects the dedication, resilience and growth mindset that define the CIS community. 

We look forward to following Miro’s journey and seeing what he learns from this experience in Italy.