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We are excited to share the details of a successful end-of-season trip to Portugal by UDA students from the Chester and Gloucestershire academies. Nineteen students and five staff members traveled to the Beira Mar football club in Aveiro, Portugal. The club's CE, Pedro, and owner, Breno, warmly welcomed the students, who had previously attended the UDA Cup to scout potential players and learn more about the UDA program.  During their visit, the students had the opportunity to play against the club's reserve team. They secured an impressive 4-3 victory, leaving a positive impression on the club's staff. This marks an encouraging first step in developing a relationship for our UDA students. Beyond their training and match at the club, the students also enjoyed exploring the local area, often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," and had some valuable downtime on the beach.  Steve Lilley, Program Director at the University of Gloucestershire, commented, "I’ve been on dozens of tours over the years and this was among the most successful. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the facilities were fantastic. In addition, those players representing UDA conducted themselves brilliantly on and off the pitch. I look forward to our relationship with Beira Mar blossoming over the next few years - they are an extremely forward-thinking club and match our culture and values.” John Dyke, Program Director at the University of Chester, added, "Reflecting on our recent trip to Portugal, I'm thrilled to see our UDA students showcase their talent on the field and provide an opportunity for UDA to build meaningful connections with the Beira Mar football club. This relationship marks a significant step in creating pathways for our students, blending football with cultural exploration. It’s moments like these that truly enrich player experiences." 
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We are delighted to announce the launch of a Women's Chester Academy in September 2025. The academy will play in the university league and against top-tier women's teams in the north west region of England. In addition, players will also have the opportunity to compete for Chester City Ladies and/or other clubs in higher tiers of the English women's game under the direction of our UDA staff. The initial squad will comprise students from around the USA.Our Women’s Recruitment Director, Brenton Dawson has been developing a pool of qualified women both on and off the field from across the USA over the last two years. For 2025, we already have 14 student-athletes committed to joining our program. These women visited the University of Chester last summer where they were able to meet the coaching staff and academic faculty, view facilities, and see the iconic city of Chester.  John Dyke, UDA program Director who has previously worked with Manchester City and City Football Group in the USA, expressed his enthusiasm for the establishment of our women’s high-performance centre. He stated, “We already have an excellent player development curriculum, and the women will be fully integrated into our coaching staff, who also work with the men’s academy. We are actively seeking a suitable coach to join our team and further support the women’s program.”
He added, “We will offer high-performance showcase games against top-tier regional women's teams. Our strong community relationships will provide the women with opportunities to compete at the highest level possible, supported by our extensive connections.” As we embark on this new initiative, we look forward to expanding the Chester Women’s Academy and welcoming a talented group of student-athletes this fall. Position: Women’s football coach
Location: UDA Chester University Department: UDA Football academy Type: Part-time/Contract Application Deadline: 6 th January 2025 About Us UDA is committed to fostering football excellence, academic and personal development through our football programs. Our football coaching team is dedicated to training talented athletes and enhancing their skills, and we are currently seeking a passionate and skilled Goalkeeper Coach in the Chester/Liverpool area to join our coaching staff. Job Description As the Football Goalkeeper Coach, you will play a vital role in developing our female players skills and performance. You will work closely with the UDA Director and Head coach and other staff to implement training programs that focus on technique, strategy, and mental resilience. Key Responsibilities Design and deliver training sessions for players. Assess individual player skills and provide constructive feedback. Develop strategies for both practice and game situations. Collaborate with the Head coach to integrate player skills into overall team tactics. Monitor and enhance the physical and mental conditioning of players. Assist in recruitment efforts for potential players. Foster a positive and competitive training environment. Qualifications Previous coaching women players experience, preferably at the collegiate or professional level. Strong knowledge of football techniques and training methodologies. Excellent communication and leadership skills. Ability to motivate and inspire athletes. A valid coaching certification (e.g., US Soccer, UEFA, or equivalent). Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Physical Education, or a related field is preferred. Benefits Competitive salary. Opportunity to work with talented athletes and contribute to their development. Access to university facilities and resources. Networking opportunities within the athletic community. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to [email protected] with the subject line: Women’s Coach Application For more information about our athletics program, please visit https://www.udauk.org/soccer.html https://www.udauoc.org/mens-program.html Join us in shaping the future of our football program and inspiring the next generation of athletes! Position: Women’s football coach
Location: UDA Chester University Department: UDA Football academy Type: Part-time/Contract Application Deadline: 6th January 2025 About Us UDA is committed to fostering football excellence, academic and personal development through our football programs. Our football coaching team is dedicated to training talented athletes and enhancing their skills, and we are currently seeking a passionate and skilled Goalkeeper Coach in the Chester/Liverpool area to join our coaching staff. Job Description As the Football Goalkeeper Coach, you will play a vital role in developing our female players skills and performance. You will work closely with the UDA Director and Head coach and other staff to implement training programs that focus on technique, strategy, and mental resilience. Key Responsibilities
Qualifications
Benefits
How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to [email protected] with the subject line "Women’s Coach Application." For more information about our athletics program, please visit https://www.udauk.org/soccer.html https://www.udauoc.org/mens-program.html Join us in shaping the future of our football program and inspiring the next generation of athletes! Position: Football Goalkeeper Coach
Location: UDA Chester University Department: UDA Football academy Type: Part-time/Contract Application Deadline: 2nd December 2024 About Us UDA is committed to fostering football excellence, academic and personal development through our football programs. Our football coaching team is dedicated to training talented athletes and enhancing their skills, and we are currently seeking a passionate and skilled Goalkeeper Coach in the Chester/Liverpool area to join our coaching staff. Job Description As the Football Goalkeeper Coach, you will play a vital role in developing our goalkeepers' skills and performance. You will work closely with the UDA Director and Head coach and other staff to implement training programs that focus on technique, strategy, and mental resilience. Key Responsibilities
Qualifications
Benefits
How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to [email protected] with the subject line Football Goalkeeper Coach Application. For more information about our athletics program, please visit udasoccer.com or udauoc.org/mens-program. Join us in shaping the future of our football program and inspiring the next generation of athletes!  At UDA, we encourage our student-athletes to push their limits and apply their knowledge in the real world. This part summer, third-year student, Reed Johnson did just that. Reed is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Software Engineering, and was offered a paid, full-time internship at Atlas Copco in Wales as a Mechatronics Engineer. While working on the Research and Development Controls Team developing software for high precision automotive robotics, he independently developed a new feature which will be released within the upcoming months to well-known clients such as Ford, Tesla, and many other automotive companies around the world. In addition to this major project, he was a part of the Atlas Copco’s Global Industrial Internship Program where he worked on a team with other interns from around the world on strategic topics for Atlas Copco. His team was tasked with designing solutions which would improve digital automation across the company’s work units and project managers.
As a team, they traveled at the end of August to present their proposal to senior management at the corporate headquarters in Nacka, Sweden, right outside Stockholm. This was the conclusion of his amazing summer internship experience at Atlas Copco, after which his focus will shift back to training and finishing up his final year of study to complete his degree in Software Engineering. Reed notes that his internship has been an invaluable experience and has allowed him to connect with a fantastic company and with many great individuals, while having real world work experience and working on code for this Atlas Copco. We love hearing about these opportunities for our student-athletes as we want them to be set up for success after graduation. Congrats, Reed! At UDA, our commitment to student success goes beyond the pitch. To help our students develop personal and professional growth during their university experience and beyond, we developed the Dream Maker Program alongside the UDA SUCCESS Foundation. The Dream Maker Program is dedicated to fostering the personal and professional growth of our student-athletes, helping them collaborate with their universities’ career and employability resources so they can grow their employability opportunities post graduation. Developed and led by Dr. Scott Johnson, in alignment with the visionary goals set by UDA founder Dr. Brian Haley, this program aims to equip UDA students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.  The UDA Circle of SuccesS The Dream Maker Program is designed to provide UDA students with a holistic approach to personal and professional development. By offering mentorship, guidance, and resources, the program sets UDA students on a path to success. From their university studies to post-graduation, students benefit from the expertise and support provided by the program. Supporting Career DevelopmenT The Dream Maker Program collaborates closely with the Careers Offices and Employability Resources of universities our students attend. This collaboration offers our students ongoing individual student relationships, group conversations, presentations, support building a portfolio, application guidance, job search tools, and advice and insight from alumni and industry experts. With these resources, our students are prepared with the necessary tools to navigate the job market successfully. Meet Dr. Scott Johnson, CEO of the UDA SUCCESS FoundationHeading the Dream Maker Program is Dr. Scott Johnson. Holding a Ph.D. in management and marketing from Arizona State University, an MBA in international business from the University of San Francisco, and a BS in business administration-marketing from California State University, Fresno, Dr. Johnson brings a diverse range of knowledge to the program. Having taught at the University of Greenwich in the UK, Dr. Johnson has a deep understanding of the European academic landscape. His experience in designing professional development and leadership courses, building external partnerships, and conducting assessment centers and team-building activities for students has equipped him with invaluable insights into employability. Dr. Johnson's extensive background as a marketing executive and his three-decade-long tenure as a professor, program director, and business school Dean have allowed him to advise hundreds of students on career preparation and oversee their internships. By leveraging each student's unique experiences and strengths, Dr. Johnson fosters their career readiness competencies through supportive feedback and networking opportunities. Our Dream Maker Program demonstrates our commitment to the comprehensive development of our student-athletes. Through close collaboration with universities, personalized mentorship, and access to industry insights, the program equips UDA students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success. Under the guidance of Dr. Scott Johnson, the Dream Maker Program has become a cornerstone of UDA's commitment to empowering its students both during their university journey and beyond. For more information about the Dream Maker Program, please reach out to Dr. Scott Johnson at [email protected].  We are thrilled to announce the inaugural First Annual UDA All-Star Iceland Showcase! In January 2024, top players from UDA Soccer Academies in the USA and UK will gather in the land of ice and fire for an extraordinary display of talent and sportsmanship. Taking place in Iceland, renowned for its rich football culture and breathtaking landscapes, this event promises to be a true celebration of UDA Soccer excellence. From captivating matches against elite Icelandic U19 teams to immersive training sessions with esteemed Icelandic coaches, our players will have the opportunity to shine on a global stage.
But the UDA All-Star Iceland Showcase isn't just about the competition. It's a journey of cultural exploration and personal growth. Participants will embark on the unforgettable "Golden Circle Tour," visiting iconic natural wonders such as Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. They will also indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation at The Sky Lagoon, a remarkable geothermal pool and spa.
UDA Soccer is proud to provide this incredible opportunity for our talented returning athletes to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and create lasting memories. We can't wait to witness the magic unfold on the pitches of Iceland! UDA Soccer - Pathway to the Professional Game. TENTATIVE SCHEDULEThursday, January 4 –
Friday, January 5 –
Saturday, January 6 –
Sunday January 7 –
Monday January 8 –
HEAR FROM STEVIE THIRAWIT, ONE OF OUR ORIGINAL UDA UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER STUDENT-ATHLETES!8/22/2022 Stevie is currently completing his Masters in Chester via an online option. He has successfully applied for his graduate visa and intends to live in Chester for the foreseeable future.  Stevie is currently completing his Masters in Chester via an online option. He has successfully applied for his graduate visa and intends to live in Chester for the foreseeable future. "As one of the first intake of UDA players to come to Chester it was a scary and risky decision. But after going through the 4 years I can honestly say that the risk was worth it. I graduated with my BS(c) Honors in Psychology combined with Sport and Exercise Science and then continued my education studying a Masters in Communications and Behavioral Analysis. As well as the educational factor being successful, I also saw a huge improvement in my footballing ability. This is due to the exceptional coaching staff that coach at the highest level. We are also exposed to different levels of football to enhance our development. I want take the time to thank all the UDA staff for making my footballing time in Chester enjoyable (Joel, Macca, Graham, Jared, Craig, Nathan. And Rich) I also want to thank Gaynor for making the transition to Chester and the transition to life after UDA easier cause without her we would be truly lost." ~ Stevie Thirawit  |
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