fbpx Skip to content

Achille Truchot recently returned to PSG Academy Pro Residency Greater Geneva to share his inspiring journey from academy life to signing a professional contract.

As a former student-athlete who lived, trained, and studied at the academy from 2020 to 2022, Achille was the perfect guest to offer firsthand insight into the opportunities that arise after developing in France.

His journey began at PSG Academy Miami, where he experienced the high standards of the PSG methodology and the European approach to training from U9 to U15. This foundation gave him the confidence to step outside his comfort zone, leave home, and commit to excellence at PSG Academy Pro Residency Greater Geneva. With the academy’s elite environment and structured development pathway, Achille was able to integrate seamlessly into European football.

During his talk, Achille reflected on key milestones in his career, including:

  1. His first professional contract in Switzerland,
  2. His professional debut, and
  3. The adversities he faced in the Czech Republic and the U.S. as he navigated the challenges of professional football.
9e82e4d1fd326f-NA457852945

Now, having returned to play for Thonon Evian Grand Genève FC (TEGG)—the club he supported as a child—Achille has fulfilled a lifelong dream. Today, he is part of the first team competing in the French National League, proving that perseverance and the right development path can open doors to professional football.

During the Q&A session, Achille emphasized the crucial role that PSG Academy Pro Residency Greater Geneva played in his development. He highlighted how the academy’s structured routine, expert coaching, nutrition program, and top-tier facilities were key to his growth, both as a player and as a person. He also spoke about the friendships he built during his time at the academy—bonds that remain strong to this day.

Achille’s story is a testament to the power of dedication, adaptability, and the PSG Academy network in shaping young footballers for the professional level. His journey continues to inspire the next generation of academy players, proving that with the right mindset and environment, dreams of playing professionally can become a reality.

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.

flag-only-04

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.

en-dutch

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.

flag-04

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.

en-du

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.

×