Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy

The RIASA Programme offers student-athletes an alternative option to the traditional US College Soccer pathway. With RIASA, Student-Athletes earn a Bachelor's degree in International Sports Management through Richmond, The American International University in London that is accredited in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, RIASA Student-Athletes play a 9-month soccer season, as opposed to the 3-month season they would play on a US College Soccer Programme. The unfortunate truth is that most US college soccer programmes merely consider soccer an extracurricular activity and only offer a four month-long season. Meaning that student-athletes with dreams of reaching their potential don't have the time to fully commit to their goals. However, millions of young people decide to attend a college in the US with the misguided dream of achieving their academic and athletic potential only to find that the two aspects of the programme are not given equal attention. We think that's wrong. Student-athletes shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in pursuit of their potential. It was from this core belief that ex-professional player, Mark Ellis, had the inspiration to form RIASA. Resulting in an integrated academic and soccer programme that allows student-athletes to pursue their potential in the UK confidently, safe in the knowledge that they have both a US and a UK degree, coaching qualifications and rich life experiences upon graduation.