Friday, October 21 2022

International Development Academy (IDA) is excited to announce a new partnership with the longest continually functioning school in the western hemisphere – Warwick Academy. The two are combining to create a new high-performance football program based out of Warwick, Bermuda which will provide student-athletes access to IDA’s elite coaching, training and opportunities.

International Development Academy has been growing rapidly since its inception. With international soccer academies in Spain, UK, Italy and USA, the group looks to expand yet again and is excited about the new opportunity.

Founded in 1662, Warwick Academy is a private school hosting mainly primary and secondary students aged 4-18. After the success of their High Performance Swimming Program, Warwick Academy partnered with IDA for the launch of the High Performance Football Program. Selected students will participate in an intense schedule of football training and competition, along with their normal school and sports schedule. Competitive Calendar and training curriculum will be provided by the IDA staff, who will visit the school multiple times over the course of the year.

“We want to provide our students the opportunity to enhance their football development, within our academic structure.” said Principal Dave Horan. “By partnering with IDA, we will be able to provide our students with international showcase events, both in North America and Europe”.

Some of the key features of the partnership:

• IDA will provide coaching education, guest speakers and methodology training to the Warwick staff and coaches.
• IDA to offer camps and clinics over school breaks at Warwick Academy
• IDA to provide entries to IDA events and guest play opportunities for Warwick Academy players

If you’re interested in learning more about IDA’s academies, click the button below!

Many students take a gap year to focus on traveling, sports, and self-discovery. But is it worth it? Discover the pros and cons of taking a gap year.

• Many students take a gap year before college to travel and focus on their passions.
• You can organize your own gap year or apply for gap year programs.
• Cons of taking a gap year include expenses for things like traveling.
• Pros include being able to craft a strong resume and take a break from school.

Taking a gap year after high school is becoming more and more popular, with many colleges now encouraging students to do so. Some proponents even argue that a gap year, or a year of service before starting college, should be mandatory for all students!

Despite the advantages of taking a gap year, many students don’t fully understand the concept of a gap year. You may believe it involves traveling aimlessly and wasting time — but that’s a common misconception.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is when you take a year off, typically between high school graduation and college. So instead of beginning college the fall after you finish high school, you’d start the following fall.

Gap years are meant to give students a break from academics. It’s usually a time to discover yourself and consider what kind of education and career you want to pursue.

A gap year can take many forms. For example, you could work a job, complete an internship, volunteer, or travel. You can do these activities independently or as part of a gap year program.

Why Do People Take Gap Years?

In one survey, the two most common reasons students gave for taking a gap year before college were to recover from academic burnout and to learn more about themselves.

A gap year not only gives you time to recharge and refocus but also allows you to learn more about yourself on your own terms.

Research on the benefits of a gap year has led schools like Harvard University, New York University, and MIT to encourage students to take one.

Many colleges even allow accepted applicants to defer their admission for a year so they can take a gap year.

Taking a Gap Year with IDA: Pros and Cons

Although many students can benefit from taking a gap year after high school, the path isn’t for everyone. Here are some gap year pros and cons to consider before making a decision.

✅ Pro: You’ll Enter College Feeling Refreshed and Refocused

The clarity earned by taking a gap year before college can positively affect your academic performance. Research shows that those who take a gap year are more likely to graduate in four or fewer years compared to the national average of six years.

The time spent reflecting and learning about potential paths can also help you make a more informed decision when picking a major.

❌ Con: You May Feel Isolated or Like You’re Falling Behind

Watching friends leave for college and go through similar experiences at the same time can increase FOMO. Likewise, knowing you’ll be going through these experiences a year after your peers might make you feel as though you’re falling behind.

While these feelings are understandable, remember that entering college one year late won’t ultimately harm your professional trajectory. You’ll get to experience college all the same when you eventually start school again.

✅ Pro: You’ll Build Important Skills

You can use your gap year to develop any number of key life skills. This could mean learning a language while living in another country, honing communication and leadership skills while being part of a group, and specifically with IDA, you can work holistically on your soccer development.

❌ Con: It May Be Harder to Transition Back to School

Spending your gap year idle or withdrawn from academic engagement could make your transition back to school tricky.

The best way to avoid this problem is to keep yourself engaged and challenged by material you find interesting. At IDA you can also take advantage of our multiple academic partners, for college credits and college prep courses.

✅ Pro: It Can Attract College Coaches and Future Employers

A productive gap year is a great time to engage in resume-building activities. Learning a skill, gaining soccer experience in a foreign league, studying a language, or spending months learning about a specific topic or country can all help your resume stand out.

A year spent abroad can also build skills that will impress potential employers.

✅ Pro: You Can Broaden Your Horizons

Traveling and living abroad for your gap year can be a transformative experience. Immersing yourself in a new culture, learning a language, and seeing the world from a different perspective can help you discover your passions and purpose.

Should You Take a Gap Year?

A gap year isn’t for everyone. Though popular, gap year programs and international travel can cost a pretty penny. It’s worth considering how a gap year could affect your finances before you decide whether to take one.

Other factors to consider include what kinds of activities you plan to do during your gap year. IDA with its focus on soccer gives you the structure to make a productive gap year

Ask yourself: What goals do you want to achieve before starting college? Do you think you have still room to improve as a player to be better ready for a college soccer carear?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether a gap year is the best course of action for you and your goals. But if you want to learn more how IDA can help you in this process, don’t hesitate to contact us.

IDA is excited to welcome Malachi Henry, captain of Bermuda’s U17 Men’s National Team, to its year-round program in the UK following the conclusion of a very successful qualification campaign for the U17 CONCACAF Championships taking place in Guatemala next year.

Malachi played a major role in the Bermuda’s U17 team’s qualifying success as they topped their group, winning four out of five qualification games in a busy 8 day period, whilst scoring 21 goals and keeping four clean sheets along the way. Speaking before his arrival In England, Malachi told us “This tournament was a great experience for me, as I got to play international football for the first time for Bermuda.” He also seemed to take the responsibility of captaining his country in his stride, adding “For me being captain of Bermuda U17 team was a good experience and I enjoyed leading my team to victories while being humble. I am very proud that we were able to make it through.”

Prior to the qualification period, Malachi had committed to joining IDA’s UK academy and all eyes are now on his next challenge. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Malachi said “As I take off to the UK, I am hoping to develop my technical and physical abilities while at IDA and also developing my leadership skills while I am there.”

The IDA UK Academy, based in Reading, UK, is an Elite Soccer Program designed for international student-athletes aged between 15 and 22 who are committed to developing both on the field and in the classroom and Malachi will now be entering a full-time playing program which will put him in a fantastic position to keep his National Team place and captaincy moving forwards. On top of his training, Malachi will also be studying on IDA’s NCFE program, showing a true reflection of his personal drive and commitment to wanting more and earning more.

To note, that 12 of the 18 players in the U17 National Team, traveled with IDA in July to Super Cup NI, competing as IDA Bermuda in one of the most prestigious tournament in this world. More to follow on this.

If you too are interested in applying to IDA UK, visit this page or use the form below to request more information.

International Development Academy, through a partnership with Bermuda-based club Warwick Archers, have selected a handful of Bermudan players from the U14, U16, and U18 age groups to participate in the 2022 STATSports Super Cup: Northern Ireland in July as “IDA Bermuda.”

“We’re extremely excited for the opportunity” said Richard Todd, U17 Coach of the Year for the Archers. “Most of these players have been playing against local Bermudan clubs for most of their lives, so the fact that we have a chance to go to Ireland and compete against top clubs and organizations from around the world will be a great test for us.”

STATSports Super Cup: Northern Ireland is one of the most prestigious events in Europe, hosting top youth academies like Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers. The event has seen players along the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and many more who have sealed their names in European history.

“Bringing players together from all corners of the world to compete in such a highly-regarded international tournament like Super Cup NI is one of the reasons why International Development Academy was formed to begin with” said Tommaso Trevisan, General Manager at IDA. “We’ve selected players for these teams with the intention to really compete, while getting them the exposure that is important for any player looking to take the next step in their career.”

Super Cup: Northern Ireland kicks off July 24th, 2022. You can follow IDA Bermuda and their journey on Super Cup NI’s website by clicking the link here.

If you’re interested in joining an IDA academy or participating in one of the many International Tournaments as a guest player, fill out the form below!

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Valencia, Spain

International Development Academy is always looking for exciting new student-athletes to join their academies each year, and with the advances in modern technology, recruitment for these academies is able to extend to all corners of the world. In an effort to expand IDA’s academies and bring new opportunities, IDA has teamed up with TapIn Mobile Solutions to bring players in Haiti to their academy in Valencia, Spain.

TapIn Mobile Solutions is a mobile application that is changing the way soccer federations around the world organize their leagues. The platform enables self-management and organization of sports leagues through an easy-to-use user interface. First launched in 2020, the platform was brought to the Ligue Nationale de Football des Jeunes d’Haiti, a Haitian Youth National Soccer League. In an attempt to expand the game globally, IDA saw this partnership as an opportunity to connect with players from all areas of the world and provide exposure for young talents. 

Three promising players will be joining the IDA Summer Program in Valencia, Spain from July 4th – July 21st of 2022. The summer program allows the three selected players the opportunity to try the IDA experience and determine if they are a good fit for the program while gaining exposure to high levels of play and scouting. Below are the bio’s for each of the three players:

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IDA and TapIn are working together to raise the necessary funds to bring these new players to the Valencia Academy this summer.

If you are interested in signing up or learning more about one of IDA’s academies, please click the link below!

Taking a gap year has always been an option for student-athletes long before the arrival of coronavirus. For those who don’t know, a gap year is a decision made by a student-athlete where they choose to take a year between their senior year of high school and their freshman year of college. It is a very personal decision, but it generally revolves around the desire to achieve two things – become a better person and a better player in their respective sport. Taking a gap year to play soccer away from home is likely to see a much higher level of maturation as it will involve a young player being placed outside of their comfort zone and is excellent preparation for what college life looks like. Deciding to take a gap year to focus on developing your game will allow a player to work in a full-time, intense environment to improve their game as they continue to prepare for their final college decision.

We recently sat down with Kaden Foreman to discuss how his GAP semester in the UK impacted his playing opportunities in the United States. Kaden had a dream of playing collegiate soccer. He used a planned GAP semester to fine-tune his skills and he will be playing for Rollins College in 2022/23.

What level of soccer and club you were playing at in USA before to join IDA?

I played at the ECNL level and for my high school my senior year before joining IDA. (Ohio Premier ECNL)

What were you’re expectations enrolling into IDA?

I was expecting to live, and train in a professional academy environment with other players that were serious about reaching their various football goals. I was looking for something challenging for me on and off the pitch.

How was the overall experience from a football standpoint?

The football in England at IDA was amazing, and an experience like no other.

The first point I would make is the level of coaching from the whole staff at IDA. I have had some great coaches with amazing playing experience here in the states, however the level of coaching I received from the whole staff at IDA truly opened my eyes to what it is like to play at the next level. I have always been someone that has had a relatively high football IQ, but Coach Paul, and the whole staff really made me think and challenged me in new ways that I didn’t know were possible.

There were a variety of levels that I could play at while I was at IDA (under 18,19, and 23s) and they were all challenging in such different ways. This was something I struggled to learn and adapt to at first, but the coaching staff assured me that there was more growing I could do even if I was not in the squad playing at the so called highest level possible.

I really do miss everything about the football in England, I have nothing but positives to take from the experience. 

How did IDA help you identify list of colleges you wanted to go to?

IDA, and more specifically Peter Bradley mainly just supported me through different databases which I could use to help find colleges that had everything I was looking for. They did a great job of not telling me which colleges I had to go to, but rather supporting me in any realistic opportunities that were of interest to me. 

How did IDA support you in the process of contacting school and head coaches?

Peter Bradley, who was the person who helped me through the whole process, had almost weekly, or bi-weekly meetings with me to help me reach out or respond to coaches. He would help with wording of emails, or maybe telling me what the coaches emails to me really meant. When I was interested in a school, where Peter or one of the coaches at IDA knew the coach at the school, they would reach out to them as well, which was really helpful to create another connection. 

Do you feel IDA had an impact in your successful college process and how?

Yes, IDA absolutely had a positive impact on my recruiting process and finding the right home for me. Not only from Peter reaching out to the coaches at the school and helping me with the process, but living and playing at IDA for 6 months making me a better player and person with better habits will help me perform at the next level as well. 

What would you say to other kids coming to IDA with similar expectations as yours?

I took a gap year after high school to come to IDA to hope to find a college that felt like home and that I was really excited about playing at. I can confidently say it was the best experience of my life, without a doubt. The people you meet, things you learn about yourself and the things you learn from new mentors and friends, the memories you make, and level of football you play all exceeded my expectations. I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime, and I made my dream come true that will help me make more friends and memories on and off the pitch in the next 4 years at Rollins, all thanks to IDA.

If you come to IDA and really work hard on and off the pitch to meet your football goal (for me playing college soccer), IDA will fully support you and make sure you reach your goal. 

KADEN FOREMAN, IDA UK

Are you ready to take the next step towards a better college career?

Fill out the form below and start your journey with IDA!

IDA is proud to announce the launch of our new US residential academy location in Daytona Beach, Florida. By partnering with nationally-renowned DME Sports Academy, IDA will offer a year-round development program, giving players high level training and competition, customized education and direct pathways into Europe and the US collegiate system.

The expansion to the US, specifically Florida, marks an important move for IDA, as its existing network of partner clubs and agencies continue to grow in Central and South America.

“We are thrilled to see this come to fruition,” said Rick Angelicola, Director of Global Partnerships. “Florida is at the heart of youth sports and education, so this allows us to increase our reach and create real opportunities for many more student-athletes and parents.”

The partnership with DME Academy will give IDA student-athletes access to an all-inclusive, state-of-the- art campus and a highly personalized educational program that meets the needs of each student-athlete.

DME Academy is largely known for its nationally ranked basketball program, producing a long list of top-level players but has been exploring an expansion into other sports.  

Co-Founder, Dan Panaggio, boasts an extensive history in basketball, having coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.

“We are thrilled with our new partnership with IDA. Together we are building a powerful soccer program focusing on development. We believe that our approach to both education and athletics is unique and proving successful in a profound way. IDA is on the move. We share like philosophies and we are looking forward to building something very special.”

“Partnering with DME Academy will give our student-athletes a tremendous foundation for success, said Angelicola. We are very excited for the future.”

The program is set to launch this coming Fall, and IDA is currently accepting applications.

Summer camps offer available too:

• June 19-25: Click here
• June 26 – July 2: Click here
• July 10-16: Click here

Interested in applying or learning more? Visit this page or use the form below to request more information.

We are proud to announce our newest partnership with PSS Premier Soccer Services (PSS). IDA and PSS will join forces with the focus on delivering elite events domestically and internationally, as well as providing development pathways for youth athletes.

The International Development Academy (IDA) helps players to reach their full potential through our international events, in both North America and Europe, as well as through our residential academy programs. Our signature events in Salou, Spain and Rome, Italy, have attracted elite clubs globally to create a very high level of competition.

Premier Soccer Services (PSS) is a professional soccer management company which organizes tournaments across the USA.  Since 2014, the estimated annual economic impact on communities from PSS events, is over $15 million.  PSS specializes in hosting professional events, in select metro areas, with the highest standards of facilities.   Events are marketed nationally and internationally, with a particular focus on the Latin American market. Signature international youth tournaments are the Easter International Cup in Orlando, FL and the Copa Rayados Internacional in Houston, TX. 

IDA Tournament Director, David Stuart, commented: “We are excited to be partnering with such a great provider of youth soccer events. Copa Rayados has set the standards for years for its quality and professionalism. We are looking forward to creating a comprehensive international tournament portfolio with PSS.” 

The president of PSS, Scott Spencer, said “We are delighted to be partnering with IDA on joint ventures and cross marketing opportunities.  We have been looking for the right partner with the expertise and understanding to complement what we have already built.  With IDA’s programming in Europe and our footprint and network in both the US and Latin America, there are some great synergies for both companies to build on!”

List of Events:

• Surf Cup International Rome City, Rome – Italy, April 11-17, 2022 https://surfcupinternational.com/rome/ 
• Easter International Cup Orlando, Florida – USA, April 13 – 16, 2022 http://www.premiersoccerservices.com/easter-international-cup
• Super Cup Northern Ireland Coleraine, Northern Ireland – July 22 – 30, 2022 (Invitations only) https://www.supercupni.com/
• Surf Cup International Salou, Spain – November 21 – 27, 2022 https://surfcupinternational.com/salou-2022/
• Copa Rayados Internacional Woodlands, Houston – USA, November, 2022 http://www.coparayados.com/

For more information about any of these events, please contact [email protected]

The US Men’s National team has seen a drastic increase in young talent over the last few years, with over a dozen players currently playing in Europe. Players like Christian Pulisic and Weston Mckennie have become household names due to their success abroad, but how did they get there? Not only are we seeing a greater American presence in Europe’s top leagues, but we are seeing more teenagers travelling abroad in order to further their development as a footballer.

Christian Pulisic began his career at German club Borussia Dortmund at the age of 16, when he moved from his hometown of Hershey, Pennsylvania, to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer. It was in Germany where he grew as a player and improved his overall knowledge of the game. After excelling in the youth system, he was promoted to the senior team in 2016, at age 17. Since then he has joined Chelsea and was part of the 2021 Champions League winning squad.

Weston Mckennie was an FC Dallas academy product before joining the world-renowned Schalke 04 academy system. Like Pulisic, Mckennie made the decision as a teenager to move to Germany because he believed it would provide him with more opportunities to advance through the ranks and make it in the professional game. After spending less than a year with Schalke’s academy team, McKennie was promoted to the first-team squad in May 2017.  After excelling in the Bundesliga, Mckennie was swept up by Italian giants, Juventus, where he currently plays an important role in their squad.

As the US National Team approaches the big game against neighbours, Canada, we went in to have a look at where some of the core US NT players are currently based. The result of our research is definitely proof of concept!

Yunus Musah: Arsenal, from age 10
Brenden Aaronson: RB Salzburg, from age 20
Zack Steffen: SC Freiburg, from age 19
Sergino Dest: Ajax,  from age 12
Chris Richards: Bayern Munich, from age 18
Brooks Lennon: Liverpool, from age 17
Sebastian Lletget: West Ham, from age 17
Weston Mckennie: Schalke, from age 17
Antonee Robinson: Everton, from age 11
Christian Pulisic: Dortmund, from age 16
Luca de la Torre: Fulham, from age 14
Timothy Weah: PSG, from age 13

The European experience provides young Americans with a completely different perspective on soccer, education and culture. The system gives players a clear pathway to move up the ranks and excel throughout the process. There are thirteen current US Men’s National team players that spent their teenage years in Europe, educated by some of the top coaches and clubs on the planet. The benefits of travelling abroad to further one’s soccer and academic education are limitless, and we are starting to see them pay off with the national team. 

Schedule a call today with an IDA Advisor at this link, or even better sign up for our Summer Men’s Trial in Spain and UK.

IDA is proud to announce our newest international partnership with FC Deren, professional youth club in Deren, Mongolia. Starting in 2022, IDA will provide players and staff with various development opportunities and pathways into Europe and the United States.

As the newest IDA Club Partner, FC Deren will gain access to IDA’s elite residential academy programs, high performance training camps, international tournaments and events, US college scholarships guidance, and more. The club recently travelled to Salou, Spain to compete in the inaugural Surf Cup International Tournament Powered by IDA. FC Deren youth players displayed their talent on the global stage as they played against some of the top European and international clubs.

“It has been an incredible experience for our young players” said Christian Wolf, FC Deren CEO. “The organization of the event was superb, and we left Salou thinking we would love to collaborate more with IDA”. FC Deren U12 and U14 had the opportunity to compete against elite youth football academies, such as FC Barcelona for example.

“We have many talented players in Mongolia who can benefit greatly from international exposure and experience,” Christian continues. “This partnership will provide those pathways and opportunities necessary for our players to maximize their potential.”

Rick Angelicola, IDA Director of Global Partnerships said, “Every player is unique. We want to empower players to excel at the highest levels as athletes, students, and most importantly as young men and women that make a difference. As IDA continues to expand, it’s important that we partner with the organizations like FC Deren that share the same core values. We’re excited for what’s to come.”

Interested in partnering with IDA?

Email Rick Angelicola, our Director of Global Partnerships at [email protected]. Visit our website and learn more about us www.internationalda.com and www.surfcupinternational.com.