Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy

Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy

"Proving Professional Opportunities in the Classroom and on the Field"

The Program:

Development - Exposure - Opportunity

RIASA allows students the best of both worlds: a top quality American undergraduate degree program while living and playing in a true football culture on a year round basis. It may provide an exit route into the professional game at some level, for some students, as they will be continually showcased against top professional academies.

Why This Program?

• The RIASA program allows you to fully develop your game on a year round basis while studying for your American Undergraduate degree.
• U.S. college soccer provides a very limited experience and developmental opportunity for students to reach their potential. NCAA and NAIA rules restrict the playing season and times players can play or be coached in order to develop their game.
• There are many students who would love to fully develop their playing potential and still receive the opportunity of a top quality professional education. Now they can at Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy in the UK.
• Live and learn the game as a top professional academy player does, without sacrificing your education. You will live, breathe and be focused like a top premier club academy operation with the safety net of an academic degree to boot.
• Earn a top-class American Undergraduate degree that makes you stand out upon graduation as you live, work, study and play in a multicultural setting that is vital for the 21st century.

Location: Leeds (Headingly District), West Yorkshire, England

Teams:

• FC RIASA/Eccleshill United FC (NECL - First Division)
• FC RIASA/Eccleshill United FC (NECL Reserves League)
• FC RIASA U21 Development League
• FC RIASA U19 Development League
• FC RIASA (West Yorkshire League)
• FC RIASA vs. Professional Youth Academy Teams (Showcase Games)

Training Site: RIASA Campus, Beckett Park, Headinly, Leeds

The RIASA Training Facility

 

Home Ground: Plumpton, Wrose, West Yorkshire

FC RIASA/Eccleshill United

 

ACADEMICS:

Academic Director:
Dr. Paul Lloyd RIASA Academic Director 
After graduating from Leeds University with a BA in Communication Arts and Public Media, Dr. Lloyd worked for a time as a manager within the NHS, before retraining as a teacher in adult education, teaching a range of social studies subjects. He gained his MA in Education from Southampton and taught adult and further education teacher training courses for several years, developing an interest in leadership development. Paul just completed his Ph.D studies in Student Service Leadership.

Assistant Academic Director:
Dr. Colin Howley RIASA Professor 
With an interdisciplinary academic background in American literature and cultural studies, Dr. Howley has taught a wide variety of courses at several British Universities including the University of Sheffield and John Moores University. Dr. Howley's research interests focus upon the area of modern and contemporary African American cultural production, with a particular reference to sport, music and masculinities. He has published articles on Spike Lee and hip-hop culture and was recently a specialist curator for a season of jazz films at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield. He also holds a three-year Honorary Research Fellowship and the University of Sheffield. 

 

 

Richmond, The American International University in London.
The academic program will be delivered by Richmond, The American International University in London and will be delivered in accordance with US accreditation standards. Richmond, the American International University in London holds independent accreditation from three separate agencies; The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the British Accreditation Council and The Open University.
http://www.richmond.ac.uk/content/about-richmond/american-british-accreditation.aspx

 

Curriculum
Link here to view the RIASA curriculum
RIASA view book

Football Academy

 

Football Staff

Football Director Mark Ellis - UEFA 'A' Licensed coach, former Bradford City FC, Ajax, South Africa Academy Coach
Mark was a Professional Soccer player Bradford City for over 14 years and will oversee the player development program at RIASA. Mark has worked at UK professional clubs Leeds United, Huddersfield Town FC and Ajax of Amsterdam and South Africa as a coach.

 
Head Academy Coach Dai Jones - UEFA 'A' Licensed Coach, former England U21 Scout, Professional Coach with Crystal Palace and Wimbledon FC
 Dai Jones is a former England U21 scout. As an international scout, he knows how to spot talent and develop players. Dai has worked with Crystal Palace and Wimbledon when they were both in the Premier League and Champion League respectively.

John Hendrie - UEFA 'A' Licensed Coach, Scottish International, Pro Manager Associate, Acedmy Session Coach
RIASA Player Representative and Consultant - John played at the Premiership level with Newcastle United, Middleborough, Leeds United, Barnsley and Bradford City FC. John has also been the manager of Barnsley FC when they were in the English Premiership; John also holds the UEFA 'A' Coaching License.

Ian Banks - UEFA 'A' Licensed Coach, Former Professional Player, Academy Session Coach
Ian was a professional footballer who played for Barnsley, Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion, Rotherham United and Darlington. He has also been an assistant coach at Chesterfield FC and Bradford City FC.

 

Who Should Consider this Program?

• The program is open to all students who wish to pursue an American Degree while playing in a top quality soccer academy with professional coaching and playing opportunities.

 

Your Link to European Football

Showcase Opportunitues

 

Premier, Championship, League 1 & 2, Spain and Scottish Showcase Opportunities for RIASA Players exist as part of the overall goal to provide opportunity to the professional game. In addition there are semi professional games and training sessions for the RIASA player for exposure and opportunity, under the direction of the RIASA football Director.

 

 

In 2011 RIASA played against several youth professional academy teams throughout the year with great success. Some of the teams they played included:

• Ajax of Amsterdam • Manchester City FC • Hull City FC (Championship) • York City (Conference) • Leeds Untied (Championship) • Blackburn Rovers (Premiership) • Villarreal (Spain – Premiership) • Motherwell (Scotland Premiership) • Huddersfield Town (League One) • Bradford City FC

 

Starting in 2012 -13 RIASA has been invited to provide its top players playing and training opportunities with Bradford City FC reserves and developmental squad.

RIASA vs. Ajax January 2011                                RIASA vs. Manchester City FC March 2011 

 

RIASA Students Turn Pro

Former RIASA students Christian Eissele and Joey Spivack. Both signed professional contracts in Finland.
March 2011

 

Nahki Wells became the first RIASA player to be signed professional by Carlisle Untied (League One), after his first semester in the academy and is now a top striker at Bradford City FC (Pictured below).

Former RIASA Student Nahki Wells FA Cup Goal for Bradford