 Abbey Golden | Director of Talent Identification – Bath University Degrees Abroad (UDA) is proud to announce that Abbey Golden has joined the organization as Director of Talent Identification, primarily for the University of Bath, strengthening UDA’s commitment to attracting high-level student-athletes to its academy programs in England.
A former NCAA Division I student-athlete at the University of the Pacific, Abbey brings extensive collegiate coaching experience, having served successfully as both an assistant and head coach. She holds a USSF B License and is a five-time Head Coach of the Year recipient, with more than 15 years of experience across collegiate and elite club environments. Throughout her career, Abbey has built a strong reputation for identifying and recruiting top talent while supporting the holistic development of student-athletes. “I’m excited to join the UDA family and contribute to a pathway that provides student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic opportunities,” said Golden. “Having recruited and coached elite players nationwide across the NCAA, Girls Academy, and ECNL, I look forward to collaborating with an outstanding staff and helping guide student-athletes toward a global experience that prepares them for success.” Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA, shared his enthusiasm for the appointment: “After an extensive national search, we are thrilled to welcome Abbey to our team. Her deep connections within the women’s game, combined with her proven success in recruiting and program leadership, make her an exceptional addition. We are confident she will help attract talented student-athletes who will strengthen our academies both academically and competitively.” Abbey will be attending several upcoming recruitment events and looks forward to connecting with prospective student-athletes and families interested in UDA academy programs in England. For recruitment inquiries, Abbey can be reached at [email protected].
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UDA Soccer is proud to announce its upcoming Football Tour to Spain, set for June 19–24, 2026, offering players an unforgettable opportunity to train, compete, and experience the heart of European football culture. The six-day tour will take players to Lloret de Mar on Spain’s scenic Costa Brava, with exclusive professional training, competitive fixtures, and cultural excursions that blend elite football development with global experience. Tour Highlights
 Football Experience
Sample Itinerary
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About UDA Soccer UDA Soccer provides student-athletes with a unique pathway to combine university education and high-level football through academies across the UK and USA. UDA’s mission is to develop the whole person — academically, athletically, and personally — preparing students for success on and off the pitch. Learn more at www.UDASoccer.com Following last season’s pilot match against Derby County FC U18s, we’re excited to announce the official launch of the Men’s High-Performance Squad for the 2025/26 season — an opportunity designed to challenge and develop players who consistently excel both on and off the field.
The UDA High-Performance Squad will include standout players from both the University of Chester (UoC) and University of Gloucestershire (UoG) programs who demonstrate exceptional performance in training and competition, as well as strong professionalism and leadership away from the game. To be considered, players must:
Program Touchpoints
Please note: The squad will not be fixed. Players selected for Touchpoint 1 (invites going out this week) are not guaranteed future selection, and players not initially chosen will have opportunities to earn a place later in the season. This initiative represents an exciting collaboration between our programs, providing a platform for our top-performing players to experience a more professional environment and accelerated development. As our Women’s Programs continue to grow, we plan to introduce a similar opportunity for them in the near future. 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."  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].  |
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