The Numbers Don’t Lie

Of IDA’s 285 alumni, 84% of them reached their ultimate goal, whether it be playing collegiate soccer or signing professional contracts. We are proud to have 5 alumni who have signed professional contracts, and 80+ who have gone on to play at the collegiate level. IDA Valencia Alumni, Jeremy De Leon, played for Puerto Rico in the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying and now plays for Castellón in the Spanish third division. Another IDA alum, Arik Duncan, completed his time in Spain with semi-professional experience and a full-ride scholarship to play NCAA division I at The University of California, Berkeley. Most recently, IDA UK had three players (Malachi Henry, DaQaio Stewart and Paris Mitchell Robinson) called up to the Bermuda’s 2023 CONCACAF Men’s U17 Championship team.

Academics Matter

We understand that education and athletics go hand in hand. As a result, we provide our student-athletes with a range of academic pathways to help them reach their full potential both on and off the field. From high school to graduate school, we are committed to meeting each student-athlete where they are at in their journey and equipping them for success.

For high school student-athletes, we partner with US Performance Academy, a fully NCAA-supported online education program that offers flexible schedules without compromising the quality of education. We also partner with King’s InterHigh, world-renown online British school. Our student-athletes have the opportunity to continue their pathway in Europe by working toward a degree at renowned universities such as Universidad Europea, Loughborough College, and the Link Campus University, and also have access to extra-curricular resources like ESL, Spanish, SAT/ACT Prep, and a UEFA B coaching course.

At IDA, our mission is to help student-athletes achieve their athletic and academic goals. We believe that education is just as important as sports, and we are dedicated to providing our student-athletes with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field. Whether you are an aspiring student-athlete just starting your journey or a seasoned pro looking to take your game to the next level, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Learn more about our academic offerings here.

Gap Year

If your athlete has already secured a spot at a college or university but wants more time to get to the top of his or her game, a gap year at our residences could be a great fit. Spending a year abroad is a great way to gain an edge before going into college soccer. Our players are pushed to their max each and every day, constantly sharpening their skills and experiencing game-like training. A gap year is the perfect opportunity to be exposed to new environments and attain a new level, both physically and mentally. Playing a sport in college is rewarding but also challenging: being away from home, 25+ hours of practice per week, difficult classes, a new social atmosphere, etc. A year playing abroad is the perfect segment into this lifestyle. Our alumni, Kaden Foreman, did just this with his Gap year. He decided to join IDA UK in order to fine-tune his skills in preparation for college soccer. He started college at Rollins College and made an impact on his team immediately, starting 19 of 19 games. 

College Recruitment 

The IDA philosophy on the college recruitment process is that each athlete is unique and they need specific help to identify the “right fit” for their college experience.  This is a very important decision for our young student-athletes, and the first big life decision where they really need to be accountable and think through their decisions.  There are different factors at play, depending on the individual, but the main three are academics, soccer and the social environment.

The IDA college recruitment program is designed to educate players and parents in the college recruitment process, provide them support in every aspect from creating profiles and video highlight reels, to communicating effectively with college coaches and navigating the admissions process seamlessly.

We will provide an initial onboarding call with families as they join the IDA program to get to know the individual goals for each player academically and athletically.  Players will receive ongoing support during their time at IDA to monitor and evaluate their communication with college coaches and to help with all questions on admissions and finance, to ease the stress in the process.

Our staff knows what amount of dedication is needed to help players achieve their goals, and we make it known from the beginning that hard work drives success. Our academies use an advanced training software called 360 Player. This program not only keeps players on track with training sessions and academics, but also houses a development section that provides game breakdowns, film, and statistics for each player. This gives our players the unique advantage to learn from both successes and mistakes by watching high-quality films.

Along with making sure each player is on the right path with their studies and training, we also offer a weekly College Placement Group to help players figure out what is best for them moving forward. It is important to get them thinking and prioritizing their future and goals. 

Check out more on college placement here. 

So, why do this in Europe? 

With all of IDA’s advantages aside, location is sure to be an important factor. What makes the European experience so unique? All of the best players in the world have origins in European clubs. From the English Premier League to the Spanish LaLiga, the European environment undoubtedly promotes player development in an unprecedented way.

At IDA, players are guaranteed to train in the most competitive and educational environments available. Our staff is dedicated to growing each player individually with training, game film, performance reviews, and UEFA-licensed coaching experience.

However, after all things have been considered, if an abroad training program is not the right fit for your player, our IDA at DME Academy in Daytona, FL will still provide access to the elite academy lifestyle.

The Whole Package

We understand that it is essential for your children to have a safe and welcoming environment to live, train, and learn. All of our residences have secure, video-monitored dormitories. Facilities are important – and we have that covered.

IDA UK – Reading, England: Students reside at the Hillside Court Village, which is located in the local Reading student community. It includes hi-speed WiFi, study spaces, full living amenities, and areas to have fun and decompress. Our athletes have access to local semi-professional club’s football grounds and facilities as well as our new 4G pitch.

IDA Valencia – Valencia, Spain: Students reside in the beautiful town of Torre en Conill Norte at the Mas Camarena Resort & Boarding School, which is less than 15 minutes from downtown Valencia. They are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, training facilities, dorms, turf fields, running tracks, basketball courts, paddle and tennis pitches, and a swimming pool. 

IDA Rome – Rome, Italy – Students live in university-owned apartments in the heart of Rome. They have space to study, socialize, and complete extra work after hours. The residence is adjacent to museums, restaurants, plenty of sporting events, and more. All student-athletes have access to professional-level facilities, equipment, instruction, and more. 

IDA at DME Academy – Daytona, FL: Our US location is right on the beach and residents can enjoy the sun all year round. Our all-inclusive campus includes brand new dormitories, exceptional facilities and technology, a performance center accessible to all student-athletes, a turf and grass soccer pitch, and an advanced recovery facility. 

Living at one of our residences sets players up for the focused lifestyle that is crucial to development at a young age. Athletes are able to walk out of the classroom and straight onto the pitch; this a luxury that we are fortunate to provide. Our professional atmosphere teaches diligence, time management, and hard work – all necessary attributes to play at the highest level. Our players form close-knit bonds with one another through countless hours both on and off the pitch. Our coaching staff is dedicated to creating an atmosphere that is positive, welcoming, and, most importantly, challenging.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of IDA 2023-2024 – talk to an IDA representative here! 

Arik Duncan grew up playing soccer for Concorde Fire Soccer Club in Atlanta Georgia. After high school, he went on to start his collegiate career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2019. Arik had quite a successful career at RPI, where he played in sixteen games, tallying five goals and three assists. His college soccer career was put on hold, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Arik began looking for different opportunities.

Arik chose to join IDA Valencia because it had all the key components for him: an elite coaching staff, top class facilities, close knit teammates, and a high level of training right at his fingertips. “My main goal was to get better. I did not necessarily have a goal of signing a professional contract or going back to the US for a Division 1 school… I just wanted to get better.” Arik stated that the coaching staff and players with similar ambitions originally peaked his interest in IDA Valencia. 

When asked about his experience in Valencia, Arik stated, “My experience at IDA was really great. Especially the first six months because that is when I was most involved with IDA. It was a really great group of guys. We were really close knit. The level of training at that time was really high, and I built some good relationships with the coaches and gained a lot of experience as a player. It was awesome in general to see around Spain and different parts of Valencia. Overall it was just a really great experience, not just soccer-wise but embracing the culture of Spain and the different lifestyles.” 

Arik played with IDA Valencia full-time for six months after his arrival before reaching an agreement with UD Vall de Uxó. During this time he was still living in the IDA facilities and training with the IDA team part-time. When asked about the IDA preparation for playing at the next level, Arik stated, “It introduced me to a more focused lifestyle. I had the field right next to where I lived and I was constantly training everyday. Constantly having access to the gym, pool, recovery, being able to train as much as I was, it really prepared me to take the next step in a competitive environment.” 

Arik had many great mentors throughout his career but he is especially thankful for all of his coaches and directors at IDA Valencia. Arik said, “Ivan Berlanga and Jordi Gomez have always supported me, whether it was on the field or off the field… They helped me find opportunities and to settle in Spain. George Nichols also has always helped me on the field a ton.” Arik wanted to give a special thank you to Antony Blackburn, “He was my main mentor at the time and we have a really great relationship. He has been very vital to my success in Valencia.” 

Antony Blackburn, one of Arik’s key mentors in Valencia, knew his player was going to do big things. He shared with us, “When Arik joined us, we sat down for our initial meeting as we do with all players. When I asked him about his aspirations and what he wanted from his time here, he simply said “to improve and leave a better player”. We help a lot of players improve and achieve their next level. That question is often answered with something like: signing a pro or going on trial somewhere. Arik just wanted to get better. It was refreshing to hear that, and it always stuck with me when working with Arik on a 1to1 basis – he just wants to improve. Maybe for some, DIII to DI might come as a surprise, but for people who know him, it’s no accident. Arik made the most of the resources he had available here at IDA: the analysis, the sport psychology, the mentoring, the training and games programme, and working 1to1 with our staff – he truly maximised his time here. We are all extremely proud of Arik, not just for his footballing achievements, but just as much for his growth as a person – he’s had a lasting impact on our staff and our program. UC Berkeley have signed a fantastic player and an exciting talent. But above all – and most importantly – a wonderful person.”

Arik is taking the next steps of his career at The University of California, Berkeley in mid-January and will compete for his final two years of eligibility in the NCAA. His impressive development earned him a full-ride scholarship over the course of his time as a Golden Bear. Arik gives this advice to any younger athlete aspiring to play at the next level, “You have to really be obsessed and have to really want it. Training well, eating well, making good habits. Being obsessed with the game, falling in love with the game.” IDA wishes Arik the best of luck as he continues onward with his soccer career at Cal! 

If you are interested in learning more about IDA or our resources available to help you get to the next step in your soccer career, speak with an IDA representative here.

As the 2022-2023 season kicks off at IDA Florida, the team wanted to give those on the outside a chance to take a look behind the curtain and into the current IDA season. We decided to host a series of 2023 Season Kickoff Webinars on November 9th and 10th, 2022 to showcase all that IDA has to offer for prospective players. Our locations in Spain, UK, and Florida all hosted their own webinar digging into each of the academies which you can review by clicking the respective links.

The IDA Florida webinar began by diving into the partnership that IDA has with DME Academy based out of Daytona Beach, Florida. Staff on both the IDA and DME side took turns introducing themselves and explaining their role in the partnership before head coach Todd Eason took over and dived into the program. Todd went on to discuss the player pathway, general program structure, and top-level facilities at DME Academy. The webinar lasted a little over an hour with attendees engaged and asking important questions they had.

We’re thrilled to say that the Season Kickoff Webinars were a huge success! We had a great time sharing all the details with you. However, we don’t want to give away everything that was discussed during the webinar. If you missed it, don’t worry – you can still catch up on all the details by submitting your information on the form below. Once you submit, you’ll be redirected to the webinar recordings page where you can access all the information that was discussed. We’re excited to see some of you on the next webinar and we hope you enjoyed the Season Kickoff Webinars as much as we did!

Or, if you want to get right into it, IDA is currently accepting registrations for 2023 which you can get to by clicking the link here.

As the 2022-2023 season kicks off at each of IDA’s academies, we wanted to give everyone the chance to get a look inside the current IDA season. We decided to host a series of 2023 Season Kickoff Webinars on November 9th and 10th, 2022 to showcase all that IDA has to offer for prospective players. Our locations in Spain, UK, and Florida all hosted their own webinar digging into each of the academies which you can review by clicking the respective links.

The UK webinar kicked off with an introduction of the overall program as a whole – diving into what the residential life looks like at the campus in Reading, UK and then moving into the diversity of the program. Similar to how the Spain academy operates, the UK academy spent some time discussing the various pathways their players have, from remaining in the IDA program to having the chance to make their way into professional clubs and be paid to play.

We’re thrilled to have been able to offer players an hour-long session during the webinar. It was a valuable opportunity for players to learn more about the UK academy, ask questions, and speak with some of the current IDA players. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive and we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide this level of engagement. We understand that players have many questions and concerns about the academy, and we hope that this webinar was able to address some of those concerns. We hope to see you at the next webinar!

If you want to watch the full webinar, submit on the form below to be redirected to the webinar page!

Or, if you want to get right into it, IDA is currently accepting registrations for 2023 which you can get to by clicking the link here.

With the 2022-2023 season kicking off at International Development Academies across the globe, we wanted to give prospective students, parents and others interested the chance to get a look inside each of our academies. We decided to host a series of 2023 Season Kickoff Webinars on November 9th and 10th, 2022 that really showcased what IDA is all about. Our locations in Spain, UK, and Florida all hosted their own webinar digging into each of the academies and showcasing all that makes them what they are.

The Spain webinar really gave those who attended a good “look under the hood” at IDA. It kicked off with a video of what it’s like to be an IDA player, giving viewers the chance to see what a day in the life looks like at IDA. From there, they went into a larger breakdown of the current IDA season, with IDA Valencia coaches and staff describing in detail the league they play in. Eventually, the brought up the league table to showcase IDA top of their league, and then went a level deeper to show how the academy is involved in a local Spanish club that pulls players from IDA to participate in local club matches.

Overall, the webinar was an extreme success and we had a fantastic time showing all that we are about. We don’t want to give everything that was discussed away, so if you’re looking to get your hands on the full webinar, you can do so by submitting on the form below where you will then be redirected to the webinar recording page. We look forward to next years webinar with you!

Or, if you want to get right into it, IDA is currently accepting registrations for 2023 which you can get to by clicking the link here.

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!