The 2021/2022 season is fully underway!
The 2021/2022 season is well underway and our players at the ICEF Europe are fully settled into both their professional football training regimens and their academic schedules. The first month of every season is focused on getting players accustomed to their new environments and setting the foundations for a strong season.
Within their first month at the ICEF Europe, players have already experienced a full professional preseason, participated in friendly matches and fun weekend activities, and have also established great relationships with each other and the coaching staff. This great progress has set the tone for the 2021/2022 season.
Current players at the ICEF Europe are not the only ones getting used to their new environments. Former players of the ICEF Europe, who have been recruited by top teams around Europe, have also fully integrated with their new teams as they look to take their game to the next level.
From the ICEF to the Bundesliga!
Various players from the ICEF Europe took the next step in their football careers by joining national teams of professional clubs around Europe who recruited them.
Former ICEF Europe midfielder, Mathew Collins, was recruited by and joined Bundesliga team Hoffenheim towards the end of the summer ahead of the 2021/2022 season. Mathew joined Hoffenheim’s U19 national team where he will be able to further improve the skills and technique he perfected during his time at the ICEF Europe.
At the ICEF Europe, Mathew was able to mature and develop a strong base of technical, tactical, and cognitive skills. He was able to do this by playing in his best position as a midfielder, but also, when the opportunity arose, playing in different positions such as a right or left back and winger. Playing in these different positions helped Mathew become a more complete player!
Mathew’s recruitment demonstrates that players are expertly prepared and are able to reach the next level of football through the ICEF Europe.
The ICEF x Thonon Evian Grand Geneve
A month into the 2021/2022 season, five players from the ICEF Europe have caught the eye of Thonon Evian Grand Genève’s U16 and U18 team. These players have consistently been invited to train with Grand Geneve’s Academy teams to accelerate their development and give them a unique experience of training directly under a professional teams’ regimen.
These players will continue to primarily train with the ICEF Europe’s training program and on their individualized plan to improve their individual skills and technique. However, they will get the added bonus of experiencing training sessions at a professional level, challenging and further developing their tactical football knowledge and IQ.
Throughout the year, players can integrate with Grand Geneve’s academy teams at their respective age group, above their age group, or even the reserve and first team. Similarly, at different points during the season, Thonon Evian Grand Genève’s coaching staff organize and lead some special training sessions to ensure every player at the ICEF Europe can experience the higher intensity and professional training program the team offers.
The benefits to being fully immersed with Thonon Evian Grand Geneve is the high-level training sessions that come with forming part of a professional team and their academy system.
During their time at the ICEF Europe, players can progress through the academy ranks until they reach Grand Genève’s first team. Training and playing for the reserve or first team works as the opening step in professional football for the ICEF players.
A unique visitor at the ICEF Europe!
In September, the ICEF Europe welcomed former professional and international striker Amauri to the campus!
Amauri played for some of Italy’s top clubs like Juventus, Napoli, and Palermo. At the ICEF Europe, he spent some valuable time with our players and staff, and shared some expert tips on his professional experience!
Amauri was the first VIP guest of the season as part of the ICEF Europe’s Career Orientation Courses. These courses focus on providing a complete view to inspire student-athletes to turn their passion for football into great careers either on or off the field. Themes in these courses include what it is like to be an aspiring professional football player, the path to building a career as a professional in the football industry, and what it is like to be a professional in the football world.
Throughout season, the ICEF Europe welcomes pro football players and other successful professionals in the football and sport industry who share their experiences. These Career Orientation Courses are incredibly unique and give each student-athletes a first hand account on possible obstalces they may face on their own path to pro.
