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The International Center of European Football is Europe’s first football academy offering the largest spectrum of opportunities.

Student-athletes enrolling at the International Center of European Football put the odds in their favor for a successful future, benefiting from many opportunities on the field as a player, as well as off the field in their professional endeavors in the sports industry.

The 10-month Pro Residency program was expertly developed as a career launching platform with international players in mind, providing custom, individualized and diverse paths that suit the needs of each student-athlete, offering only the best football and academic programs and opportunities to its future football professionals.

Talented football players at ICEF born between 1997 and 2009 reach their maximum potential academically and footballwise, while attending the 10-month Pro Residency Program, and are able to discover their path to future careers, with a wide range of opportunities available to them.

ICEF’s all-around professional preparation program, featuring partnerships with the most prestigious football organizations that have decades of experience in the football industry in Europe, offers players:

Unequalled opportunities to develop as a football player

  • Compete in the official French national league;
  • Get exposed to highly regarded D1 and D2 clubs in Europe;
  • A launching platform to kickstart professional player’s  careers.
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

Collegiate preparation and exposure for the DI level in the U.S.

  • Creation of an outstanding football resume combined with impressive highlight videos;
  • Connections with recruiters from top Universities and Colleges in the U.S.;
  • Preparation for ID Camps and Showcases.

Fulfilling educational options to enter the sports industry

  • Complete an education with a Bachelor or Master’s degree;
  • Enrich curriculum by learning a foreign language and culture;
  • Receive advice and mentorship from professionals in the industry;
  • Launch a prosperous career in the sports industry.
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

To participate in this unique experience and attend ICEF’s elite football preparation and boarding school program, players must first try out and get selected. At this time, only 4 spots remain available. The season kicks off on August 24th, 2020.

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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