Football has no religion, no ethnicity, no color. Football is everywhere, in the immense majority of cultures and populations bringing the world together in spite of all political issues. Last World Cup gathered almost 1.5 billion people.
Football triggers passion and goes way beyond the sportsmanship. There is no other sport or public matter that unites as many people as much as football throughout the world. But why?
Football is for the whole family, the younger, the older, the moms and dads even grammys… Everyone gathers by the TV or in the stadium. It brings together friends and families for 90 minutes.
Everyone can catch up fast to the rules. No need to be an expert to understand and enjoy the true entertainment of the sport even if there will always be arguments about penalties and off-site actions.
One of the biggest beauties of football is that it is a modest sport. You don’t need much equipment to have fun and to play well. Even greats like Zinedine Zidane started playing in the streets just like the majority of his generation.
All it takes to play the sport you love is heart, passion, and dedication, to get better every day and enjoy the beautiful game.
The beauty of football is that it reflects the challenges and values of everyone’s life. The values below are almost universal for whoever wants to be successful and supportive to the community. Football teaches a multitude of values that need to be conveyed to the new generation.
Respect. The main foundation of any team sport, including football. Players must respect the game, the referee, the rules, the coach, the public and their teammates. It teaches kids and players from a young age, how to behave in a group and as a community.
Team Spirit. One of the first lessons that you learn on the field is that no one can be successful alone. There is no space for selfishness on the field, and no one player can get all the spotlight. You learn to rely on your teammates as much as on your coach, and even your fans who cheer you on.
Competitiveness. Football equips young minds with the power to overcome adversity. No matter how advanced the opponent is, you learn to give 100% of your capacity to constantly improve and exceed your limits.
Work ethic. Success and victory do not come overnight. It takes a lot of hard work to reach new skills, improve and win games. Football obligates you to work relentlessly and to leave anything that will set you back, in the locker room.
Leadership. Everyone has a role in life. In football, players have specific positions to stick to and each member of the team needs to learn their responsibilities. There is also one leader, or several, who guide the team to fulfill their objectives and be successful.
Emotional Intelligence. Handling victories and defeats is a peculiar process to go through. Either winning or losing, triggers internal battles on the field or in life. Football allows you to keep your two feet on the ground when you are victorious and to challenge and overcome frustrations when you lose, which are two great qualities to have for a successful life.
At the International Center of European Football, we take the values of football very seriously and our dedicated and professional staff of UEFA / FFF licensed coaches and youth development experts are working relentlessly to implement the excellence of the European methodology and convey those genuine values.
We open the doors to success and possibilities are endless. Our methodology provides student-athletes with a solid foundation that will help them stand out and be recognized by professional teams from around the world, and prepare them to be recruited by prestigious colleges and universities.
Claire joined the Academy in 2021 and currently serves as Head of the Humanities Department. Originally from North Carolina, she completed her studies at the University of Oregon, earning degrees in Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and French, along with a SLAAT teaching certification.
Her academic journey was also the start of a great personal adventure: on her very first day at university, Claire met a French student who would later become her husband. They married just two days after graduation (where she graduated with honours) and moved abroad together two days later.
At the Academy, Claire is known for her compassion, her passion for the humanities, and her dedication to ensuring her boys have a wonderful experience. Outside the classroom, she enjoys dancing, organizing dinner parties, and traveling the world to visit historical and archaeological sites.
Amy joined the academy in 2021 and currently leads the English Department. Originally from the UK, she holds a degree in English Literature and a PGCE in Secondary Education from Lancaster University. With over a decade of international teaching experience, Amy has worked in the UK, Italy, and France, including at two of the UK’s top high schools and an international school in Turin.
In 2016, she moved to the French Alps, inspired by her passion for the mountains. Outside the classroom, Amy is an avid hiker, climber, snowboarder, and traveler. She is also a certified yoga instructor and regularly organizes yoga, meditation, and art workshops at the academy offering a holistic approach to learning.
Héloïse 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, Héloïse pursued a teaching qualification at Brighton University and went on to teach languages in a variety of schools in the south of England. Héloïse 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.
After living in the UK for nearly 10 years, she decided to return to the beautiful region where she was born, to raise her family amongst the foothills of the Alps. She loves spending time outdoors, hiking or skiing in the mountains with her family. Teaching has always been Héloïse’s passion and she delights in passing on her love of the French language. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to challenge and inspire her students to help set them on the path to a fulfilling and successful future.
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 to follow her passion for outdoor activities and broaden the life experiences of her young daughter. Outside of teaching Emma enjoys the vast range of sports and activities that the nearby mountains and lakes offer. Having joined the PSG Academy Pro teaching team in 2023, Emma has been keen to create a positive learning environment, linking scientific topics to football as well as the previous knowledge and experiences of her students.
Hans is a Dutch mathematics educator with extensive experience in private international schools. Passionate about inspiring students, he believes in building strong relationships, setting high standards, and helping each individual realise their full potential.
Three years ago, Hans moved to the French Alps to embrace an active lifestyle in a stunning setting.
Now in his fourth year at PSG Academy Pro, he feels privileged to be part of a dedicated team, and is excited to support motivated athletes who are working hard to turn their dreams into reality.
Barbara is a native British English speaker with 20 years of international teaching
experience. After earning her Bachelor of Education from Manchester Metropolitan
University in 2005, she taught in the UK, Australia, and France across public, private, and international schools.
Drawn by her love of mountains, she relocated with her young family to Thonon-les-Bains, where she enjoys the Alpine region of the mountains and lakes. She spends her free time skiing, cycling, swimming and having adventures with her family and friends.
At PSG, Barbara aims to inspire student-athletes to embrace new challenges and thrive, creating a supportive environment where they are motivated to achieve both their academic goals and personal passions.
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.
