Director of Recruitment, Coach Reilly Meets Staff at Chester FC, England

Seamus Reilly, Director of Recruitment at University Degree Abroad-UK Soccer Academy, visited Chester Football Club in England in early August. Seamus spent the day with John McCarthy (team manager/coach) and Mark Maguire (chief executive of Chester City Football) working on the development of opportunities for academy students. They discussed training opportunities, coaching staff and showcase events. Director Reilly looked at the overall day to day operations of the club, visiting all facilities including the the locker rooms and football stadium

Coach Reilly stated. "The club is fantastic, it is the perfect fit for our academy students as it offers great facilities and opportunity to be connected to the professional game. It will add great value to the student experience as they peruse their undergraduate degree- this connection is in line with our mission and vision statements for students in our academy."

In the afternoon Recruitment Director Reilly met the CEO of the club, Mark Maguire, discussing the partnership of Chester City Football Club with UDA's soccer academy. The meeting was very positive and encouraging to both groups as they looked at the positives of player recruitment, showcases games and professional training opportunities through Chester's connections.

Reilly stated, "We will now formalize the agreement which will take place this coming fall. It will offer a great opportunity for students to be connected to the football industry across the platforms of playing, coaching and the business sector of the game."

Director Reilly added, " Mac the head coach at Chester (former English Premier player) is delighted to be the director of soccer coaching staff at UDA's Pro soccer academy for the American players - Mac sees this as bringing value to all parties and a win, win for the club and the students with the opportunities they bring."

Director Reilly added, " The opportunity to meet the coaching staff and the CEO was beneficial as we develop opportunities at multiple levels for the UDA soccer academy students within the football industry. We will continue to evolve these opportunities as the program unfolds.”

Reilly concluded, “Chester FC is a community based club, owed by the local fans and they will have a great interests in American Students being connected to the club. They are great fit for the unique academy model we are developing for our International students, specifically for the North American student-athlete."