RIASA to host Football Event

Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) is delighted to be hosting a three team tournament at Bradford City’s Valley Parade stadium on Sunday, 2 May 2021.

The tournament highlights that, despite the recent lockdown and ongoing restrictions, RIASA continues to deliver ongoing unique opportunities for students to be able to pursue their primary passion – football.

The event will see two of the RIASA teams competing against Barnsley’s Development Academy U’23 squad.

The structure of the day will allow maximum competition time on the pitch and will also be an excellent opportunity for RIASA student-athletes to be able to embrace a professional football club setup; playing on a professional pitch, the emotional excitement and anticipation of the dressing rooms and making their entrance through the long tunnel.

The students will be following in the footsteps of the many professional players that have gone before, not forgetting RIASA’s Academy Director Mark Ellis who spent over 10 years playing professionally for the Bantams and always enjoys returning to his spiritual football home.

Gareth Prendergast, RIASA’s Lead Development Coach, said, “It’s a great opportunity to play in a professional 20,000 seater stadium, the students will be able to showcase their abilities at the highest level in a real football club environment.” – Watch Gareth explain more about the event