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The Strive Blonay Cup, organized by PSG Academy Greater Geneva, returned for its highly anticipated second edition, delivering a week of unforgettable football at the PSG Academy Pro Greater Geneva campus. Growing in scale and reputation, the tournament has become a cornerstone for youth football in the region, providing an opportunity for local teams to compete in an environment that mirrors professional standards.

This year’s tournament saw record-breaking participation, with over 200 players from 16 teams competing in two categories: U16 and U19. Over three action-packed days, the state-of-the-art campus hosted 48 thrilling matches, highlighting some of the best young football talent in the area. The event featured professional-quality facilities and conditions, ensuring an optimal experience for players, coaches, referees, and fans alike.

On the field, the PSG Academy Pro Residency teams rose to the occasion. The U16 team showed tremendous resilience, reaching the final in a fiercely competitive field before narrowly missing out on the title to AS Thonon in an intense penalty shootout. In the U19 category, the PSG Academy Pro team successfully defended their title, showcasing skill and tenacity as they lifted the trophy for the second year in a row. These performances underscored the high level of training and commitment within the PSG Academy program, while the tournament itself provided valuable competitive experience for all involved.

Beyond the matches, the Strive Blonay Cup fostered a lively atmosphere of sportsmanship and community. Crowds gathered to support their teams, adding to the vibrant energy on campus and underscoring the value of youth sports in building connections and camaraderie. The event’s growing reputation continues to strengthen partnerships with neighboring youth teams, including those competing in the French Championship, elevating the level of competition and enhancing regional football ties.

As the Strive Blonay Cup looks to the future, next year promises even more teams, more matches, and even greater excitement. This annual event is quickly establishing itself as one of the top youth football showcases in the Greater Geneva area, furthering its mission to inspire, challenge, and unite young athletes across the region.

Watch the movie here: Relive the action from Strive Blonay Cup! 🏆

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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