Our Commitment
Mission
To provide a life changing experience for student athletes as they pursue an accredited American Degree program while reaching their optimal playing potential.
Our Goals
- To provide a positive student academic and athletic experience. It is a first class opportunity for earning an accredited American degree whilst playing in the UK leagues.
- To provide a top class academic degree program that is accredited in the US that helps build a top class resume that is transferable back to the US or within the European Education system.
- To showcase players against top professional youth soccer academies, from premiership to league two levels in addition to and providing exit routes within the game not available to the North American soccer player.
- To provide opportunities to help the student athlete grow, intellectually, socially and interpersonally utilizing the vast rich cultural heritage of the UK.
Testimonials
Living the Dream and Getting an Education, -- A parent's perspective
Hollie Stray-Gundersen
"As parents of committed soccer players, we want our child's dreams to come true. Those dreams of moving to Europe, to England, training on the fields where the game of "football" was born, and eventually being coached and developed into a professional soccer player -- getting that contract. We teach our kids to reach for the stars, to pursue their dreams. We want them to follow their hearts -- but not at the expense of a College Degree. As parents, we also know the tremendous value of that four- year- degree and how critical it is to any "post soccer" success. The idea of pursuing a professional soccer career in Europe while earning an American Accredited Degree in Europe was not possible -- until now. The Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) is the World's first opportunity for the North American player to earn an Accredited American Four-Year-Degree while playing in a professional academy in the UK -- it is the real deal. The academics are funneled through UK Richmond, The American International Accredited University in London. The soccer academy, training facilities, living accommodations, and classes are located in Leeds, England."
"My son, Kjell is one of the inaugural student/players of RIASA, and has already played on a semi professional team while in the program. He continues to develop and learn from the entire coaching staff at RIASA as he pursues his professional soccer dream and four-year-American Accredited degree in International Business with an emphasis on Sport. He is also very excited to have begun his UEFA "License A" Coaching Course! Not only is he living and breathing the dream of English Football, but also setting himself up for success after playing soccer. He and his teammates will be traveling to Spain in March for their first out of the country showcase!"
Troy & Cynthia Roane
The RIASA program is everything our family was hoping for and expecting!
My son has always wanted an opportunity to play professional soccer,
this program not only allows him to showcase in front of some of the top
clubs in the professional soccer world, but it also allows him to get
his 4 year college degree as well! All aspects of the program are
professionally run with great accommodations, top notch professional
training, and quality care for the boys at an affordable cost. We are
extremely pleased with the quality of soccer and academics RIASA offers!
We recommend RIASA to anyone interested in an International soccer
experience and college education, the only program of its kind!
Link to this page: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/s/1432.aspx
