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The International Center of European Football prized a selection of four MVPs at the IVP Supercup Florida tournament from October 26 to 27 in South Florida. The tournament was created in association with Luis Figo, a Portuguese Legend that played for the best clubs in Europe. Three boys (U13, U14, U17) and one girl (U18) were offered a week-long and all-inclusive training program to experience ICEF’s professional center in the Greater Geneva area (France).

 

During this week, they will have the opportunity to increase their soccer knowledge and be assessed by our professional coaching staff present at the center. The MVP’s from the IVP Supercup tournament will participate in intensive training sessions following the European methodology that will require a lot of investment, both physically and technically. Their participation will allow them to see how they perform, relative to the players already training and improving ICEF. They will also be able to benchmark their strengths and analyze their weaknesses to make improvements.

 

Having impressed the ICEF Scouts and Recruitment Team present at the tournament, these players have the soccer skills that qualify to enroll in private soccer academy’s Pro Residency Program. Equivalent to a boarding school in the United States, players who desire to apply must first attend a tryout session to be selected.

 

ICEF Scouts were also able to identify a selection of highly talented players, who were invited to one of ICEF’s tryout sessions during the private soccer academy’s U.S. Recruitment Tour. ICEF’s Recruitment Team focuses on technical skills and tactical knowledge during these events, understanding the importance of physical abilities, but they are confident that these will be implemented at the right time during ICEF’s physical programs. ICEF scouts highlight the importance of having an excellent soccer IQ, looking for players who are smart with the ability to take information, anticipate and adapt to the environment and opponent. These are qualities they believe players must demonstrate to show them that they have potential that can be further improved.

 

Nicolas Babayou, Scout at IVP Supercup Florida and Head of Recruitment at the International Center of European Football stated, “Having the opportunity to scout in these international and well-organized tournaments is a great and interesting opportunity for us. It enables us to watch a large amount of players ranging in age, skill and level. For me, what’s important is finding players I know have the potential to excel.”

 

The international soccer academy looks to continue to partner and be present at these world-renowned tournaments and events, having a strong presence in the development of youth soccer in the United States and worldwide and being able to offer professional opportunities to our athletes.

Humanities Teacher (History, Geography, American Government)

Claire Watts

Claire holds degrees in Archaeology, French, and Biological Anthropology from the University of Oregon, along with a linguistics minor and an SLAAT certification. She has been teaching in international schools and privately in France for the last decade.

Since September 2021, she has served as Head of the Humanities Department at PSG Academy Pro.

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ESL Teacher

Simone Thompson

Simone is a native English speaker from Australia, residing in France since 2023. With over 10 years of experience in education, she has a diverse teaching background, working in schools, zoos, community outreach programs, and private tutoring.

At PSG Academy Pro, she utilizes her broad skill set to support students through tutoring and English lessons, helping them succeed in their core subjects.

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French Teacher

Héloïse Evans

Heloise is a native French speaker, who studied French language and literature at University in France before moving to the UK.  While living in the UK, Heloise pursued a teaching qualification at Brighton University and went on to teach languages in a variety of schools in the south of England.  Heloise has 15 years of experience teaching students from a young age through to the end of high school as well as taking on pastoral roles.

Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Junior Science Teacher

Emma Newman

Emma is a British teacher with 20 years of teaching experience across all phases of education. Her background includes 10 years teaching high school and junior school in London, where she held Pastoral and Departmental Leadership roles. She then spent 9 years at a London university, training graduate and postgraduate students to become teachers themselves.

Emma relocated to France in 2021 and joined the PSG Academy Pro teaching team in 2023.

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Math, Physics & Chemistry Teacher

Hans Kolster

Hans Kolster, from the Netherlands, has had a long and distinguished career in teaching. His passion for education started during his student years when he tutored mathematics, leading to a lifelong commitment to helping young people achieve their goals.

He served as Head of the Dutch School in Cobham, England, an institution created for Dutch expatriates in London. Later, he became Head of Mathematics at the British School Muscat in Oman, a prestigious British international school with over 50 nationalities.

Since September 2022, Hans has been supporting student-athletes at PSG Academy Pro in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

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English Teacher

Barbara Hill

Barbara is a native British English speaker with 20 years of international teaching experience. After earning her Bachelor of Education from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, in 2005, she taught in the United Kingdom, Australia, and now France. She has worked in diverse school environments, including public, private, and international schools, as well as both single-sex and co-educational institutions.

Academic Director / Spanish Teacher

Leandro Cruz

Leandro, a native of Brazil, had a professional career as a football player before transitioning into education. With 15 years of experience in the French school system, he has dedicated his career to guiding student-athletes toward both academic and athletic excellence.

Beyond the classroom, he plays a crucial role in securing college placements for high school graduates, ensuring they successfully transition to higher education while balancing their sports commitments.

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