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Turning your passion for football into a prosperous career.

In the past decades, the global sports market has been one of the fastest growing industries around the globe, reaching an estimated value of $1.3 trillion. Football (soccer) represents approximately half the sports industry’s value, with over $600 billion of net worth, naturally finding its spot in first place, surpassing all sports worldwide like tennis, golf, car racing and basketball, to mention only a few. Growth is expected to continue, and to blossom into more opportunities for the Gen Z-ers and their future professions, both in the sports industry and in the football market, specifically in the U.S.

ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

This tendency may explain why this generation, different to others before them, dreams about becoming professional football players instead of dreaming about becoming doctors and lawyers. Although Gen Z-ers are still flocking to these illustrious jobs, a growing number are interested in forging career paths in industries like sports, which have also become notable careers. They share Millennials’ desire to work in jobs that they are passionate about, mixing personal fulfillment and financial security in organizations that align with their values and goals and have high revenue potential.

 

Many students, however, are still not even aware about the growing number and array of different opportunities and careers available in the sports and football industries. Elite players who join ICEF’s 10-month Pro Residency program will be able to fully acknowledge how their academic performance could lead to a prosperous career in a sports organization, in front office, coaching and technical positions.

The International Center of European Football is developing individualized paths to support all student-athletes in their football and academic endeavors, leading them to grow into top athletes and outstanding scholars, ready for careers related to their passion for football. ICEF’s 10-month Pro Residency program, developed by UEFA / FFF certified technical directors, makes connections between student-athlete’s studies and “passion industries,” empowering students to find a fulfilling career, like:

  • Professional football players
  • Administrators, Directors & Managers for different sports organizations
  • Certified football coaches
  • Certified football referees
  • Licensed physical therapists
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe
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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.

  • Teaching Experience
  • Charlemagne Immersion School
  • Mondo Linguae
  • Kids and Us Language School
  • Sainte Croix de Neige
  • Private Tutoring
  • Languages Spoken
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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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Bachelor of Science (Zoology & Conservation Biology)
  • Postgraduate Diploma of Education
  • Languages Spoken
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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Bachelor in French Language and Literature
  • Master 1 in French Language and Literature, University Stendhal Grenoble
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Modern Foreign Languages, Brighton University

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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Master’s Degree in Leading Innovation and Change in Education
  • Level 5 Diploma in Sports and Remedial Massage
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree (with Qualified Teacher Status), majoring in Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Languages Spoken
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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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Master’s in Education with Qualified Teacher Status in Mathematics
  • Teaching Experience
  • Private tutor (over 40 years)
  • Dutch School (Rijnlands Lyceum), in affiliation with Reed’s School, England
  • British School Muscat, Oman
  • Languages Spoken
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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Bachelor of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Leading for Results Management Training, Manchester University
  • Teaching Experience
  • PSG Academy Pro Soccer Academy, Publier, France
  • Sainte Croix des Neiges, Abondance, France
  • Brightside Academy, Perrignier, France
  • Thonon International School, Thonon-les-Bains, France
  • The Scots College, Sydney, Australia
  • Woodheys, Cheshire, UK
  • Languages Spoken

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.

  • Education & Certifications
  • Liberal Arts Degree
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities
  • Master’s Degree in Specific and Adapted Physical Education
  • Teaching Experience
  • Institut Monterosa – Montreux, Switzerland
  • Collège-Lycée Saint Joseph – Thonon-les-Bains, France
  • Collège-Lycée Le Sacré-Cœur – Thonon-les-Bains, France
  • Collège-Lycée St François – Ville-La-Grand, France
  • Collège Saint Bruno – Évian, France
  • Collège Jean-Marie Molliet – Boëge, France
  • Collège-Lycée Juvenat – Ville-La-Grand, France
  • Lycée Jeanne d’Arc – Thonon-les-Bains, France
  • Lycée de la Versoie – Thonon-les-Bains, France
  • Languages Spoken
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