Train Hard, Play Hard, Dream Big.
At RIASA
( Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy )
Dr Molly Bettie
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Liberal Arts
About Richmond International Academic Soccer Academy
RIASA – helping you achieve your athletic and academic goals.
- Elite Soccer Training: RIASA offers top-tier soccer training for men and women led by experienced coaches who have played and coached at professional levels. This ensures that you receive the highest quality of instruction
- Advanced Facilities: Students train in state-of-the-art facilities, including well-maintained pitches and gyms, providing the perfect environment for athletic development
- Personalised Development Plans: Each player receives a tailored development plan that focuses on improving their skills, tactics, fitness, and overall game understanding
- Academic Excellence: RIASA combines elite soccer training with rigorous academic programmes, allowing students to pursue their passion for soccer without compromising their education
- Supportive Learning Environment: Small class sizes and dedicated faculty provide personalised attention and support, fostering academic success alongside athletic achievement
- Global Network: RIASA attracts students from all over the world, creating a diverse and multicultural environment. This helps students build a global network of contacts and friends
- Pathway to Professional Soccer: RIASA provides a clear pathway to professional soccer, with many graduates going on to play professionally in various countries. The Academy’s strong connections with clubs and scouts enhance students’ chances of being noticed
- Career Support: Beyond soccer, RIASA offers career counselling and support, helping students prepare for various career paths, whether in sports, business, or other fields
Join RIASA and take the first step towards achieving your academic and athletic goals in a world-class setting.
Why RIASA?
The RIASA programme provides its athletes with the opportunity to work with world class coaches and mentors and provides a wide range of playing opportunities and pathways (in the UK, US and beyond) to match each athlete’s ability and personality. This sports development opportunity is uniquely combined with the offer to study a wide range of undergraduate and masters subjects and to graduate with not only a US accredited degree but also a UK accredited degree from the outstanding Richmond American University London, in the academic subject of your choice.
The RIASA team has a wealth of experience in playing and coaching soccer, allowing student-athletes to experience a professional academy set-up. As soon as you join our academy, you’ll be thrown into intense training sessions and competitive league fixtures that will help you grow on and off the field.
All training coaching, games and athlete development is precisely tailored around the academic degree programme to blend seamlessly and without crossover.
Faculty members
Dr Samantha Bracey
Associate Professor of Sports Management / Chair of Richmond Gender in Sport Research Centre
Dr Albert Danso
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Economics
Dr Colin Howley
Head of Department (RIASA)
Ross Lebeter
Assistant Professor
Dr Lucia Morawska
Associate Professor of Liberal Arts / Chair of Richmond Gender in Sport Research Centre
Dr Emmanuel Okyere
Assistant Professor of Economics and Mathematics
Dr Samuel Owusu-Agyei
Diana Owusu-Yirenyeki
Development of athletes
At RIASA you’ll have the unparalleled experience of playing at a top quality soccer academy with professional coaching and playing opportunities.
You’ll be taken through a rigorous soccer training and playing schedule, with coaching focusing not only on your technique, speed and tactics on the field but on your nutrition and health. Get careers advice from our professional UEFA licensed coaching team on your future soccer options, such as how you can achieve a licensed UEFA coaching qualification.
Students also have the opportunity to extend their sporting pathway with player experiences in Europe and the UK
Soccer player reviews take place daily through coaching methods and coach interaction but a formal review of the players progress both on and off the field takes place termly.
Soccer Development Programme
By joining RIASA , you enter into the ultimate footballing environment, joining like minded passionate football student athletes. You will have the chance to train four times a week under the guidance of our dedicated UEFA licensed coaching team and be provided with a true professional soccer experience, from diverse training sessions, video analysis, individual feedback, strength and conditioning sessions and a state of the art gym to enhance and strengthen your development even further.
RIASA Leeds
RIASA is now in its 15th year of operation, having seen many talented student-athletes develop their game and earn a top class dual accredited US/UK degree. Students are able to study the BA (Hons) International Sports Management programme for men and women alongside their football training schedule, situated in the historic UK city of Leeds.
RIASA London
Now for the first time, RIASA students can both study and play soccer in London, it’s an exciting opportunity. Students applying via the RIASA London option can study any Richmond American University London programme alongside their football training schedule. Initially we are offering this option for a men’s team but plan to extend it with a women’s team as well in the future.
Our location
Richmond American University London is based in Chiswick Park, a stunning and contemporary parkland location. It is set in a vibrant community offering a gym, cafes, bars and restaurants, with easy access to everything the world’s number one student city can offer – learning and employment opportunities, shops, museums, attractions and sporting and cultural events.
All training and coaching for our RIASA London Soccer Development Programme takes place at excellent sporting facilities in the local area, with a combination of gyms, fitness studios, soccer pitches as well as partnerships with local sports clubs.
How to apply
Richmond is the only university in the UK where the degree programmes are based on the US educational approach which is a four year pathway. Every undergraduate degree student will take our Liberal Arts programme alongside their Major.
Click for more information on Undergraduate or Postgraduate entry requirements.
STEP 1
You can apply by filling out the RIASA London application form here. First we need to assess your athletic and playing ability, which can be done in two ways. You can either attend any of our upcoming ID camps or you can provide a highlight video from YouTube within your application. At this stage we would like to point out that you will only be applying for the soccer side of the programme.
Apply to RIASA London here
STEP 2
After submitting your application form, we usually need 1–3 days to process your application. If you have attended an ID camp, we will have assessed your sporting ability. If you have sent us your highlight, we need to watch this and determine if you meet the requirements. We will get in touch with you to let you know if you can move to the next application step.
STEP 3
If you pass the sporting assessment, you will need to apply to Richmond American University London for the degree programme of your choice
Apply Undergraduate ➝
Apply Postgraduate ➝
STEP 4
Richmond American University London will process your application. We would expect this process to take anywhere between 3–6 weeks, depending on application demands. Once your application has been processed and all the information has been checked and verified, you will receive your conditional offer.
