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ICEF’s Education Manager, Adam Amellal, takes us behind the scenes of academic preparation at ICEF.

Although football is the priority for all, we place a strong emphasis on academic performance as well, and strive to create the ideal balance between football training and competition, academics, and boarding life through complete immersion in a professional environment, the key to success on and off the field.
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

Meet Adam Amellal

Education Manager at ICEF

Adam has various years of experience in the field of education, which has given him the opportunity to work in different types of schools, including international campuses, public and private colleges, as well as high schools. He has also always been involved in football, with a background as a player, including competing at the university level at the Vichy National Institute. Adam has a degree in Human and Social Sciences, and has also obtained a specialized Master’s Degree.

Today, I am honored to be a part of the ICEF project and I take pride in my duty to ensure our student-athletes succeed academically!

Academic Options at ICEF

At ICEF our student-athletes come from diverse academic backgrounds and are at different stages in their journeys. We want to make sure that each student-athlete, no matter their end goal, age, primary language or grade level, can get the optimal academic preparation to fit their individual needs.


ICEF benefits from strong partnerships with several educational institutions, to offer student-athletes a wide range of academic options from Middle and High School to Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. A large array of degree programs are available to student-athletes, to best fit the needs of each unique profile.

ICEF offers education programs in English through partnerships with prestigious institutions, like Webster University Geneva as well as Geneva Business School for Undergraduate and Graduate programs. French speakers in Middle and High School can also choose to enroll in a French program to pursue their academic preparation.

These wide range of options enable ICEF to support each student-athlete, meeting individual and specific needs, no matter where they come from or what stage they are in.

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

Flexible Schedules

All of ICEF’s academic partners understand the rigor of ICEF’s Pro Residency Academy, and they work together with ICEF’s Education Team to provide flexible schedules in order to enable student-athletes to combine their academic preparation and football training and competition programs.

With our partners, we agree on flexible schedules in order to enable student-athletes to combine their academic preparation and football training.

In-person Academic Support and Progress Monitoring

ICEF student-athletes benefit from easy access to in-person and online tutoring options provided at ICEF.

 “My role is to coordinate the success of our student-athletes in their academic programs.”

Academic performance is closely monitored by both Adam Amellal, Education Manager, and Leandro Cruz, Academic Performance Supervisor, who work closely with ICEF’s educational partners (American High School, Cambridge International Education Program, Webster University Geneva, and Geneva Business School) to ensure student’s progress is on track.
In the same way, ICEF’s Education team communicates closely with Julien Bernard, Head Coach, and his Technical Team, in order to properly adapt each student-athlete’s schedule on a need basis, to meet all needs on and off the field.

I am surrounded only by great professionals, all focused on the success of our student-athletes.

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

A Holistic Approach to Education

Above all else, in order to succeed in life, the fundamental principle conveyed at ICEF is excellence. We prepare student-athletes all around, be it on the field or in life. It is our duty to instill these values on our players: behavior, education, life as a group, attitude, and mindset are inseparable elements of what a football player should be. Furthermore, a football player who is able to think and be strategic is always one step ahead on the pitch. We are based on this working methodology to make our young players succeed.

Humanities Teacher, History, Geography, American Government

Claire Watts

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.

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English and Literature Teacher / Academic Advisor

Amy Bench

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.

French Teacher

Héloïse Evans

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.

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 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.

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Math, Physics & Chemistry Teacher

Hans Kolster

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. 

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ESL Teacher, Communications Coordinator

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 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.

Program Director

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.