Man City vs Bayern Munich UDA at the University of Gloucestershire were fortunate to secure 26 tickets for the above game. Players, staff, and parents were in attendance! Even though it was a cold, wet, and windy day in North West England, the football on show certainly lit up our faces, but sadly not the skies! We started our journey with a huddle of Manchester City fans on board, with others reminiscing about past glories about their team, or future potential glories!
The buoyant mood of the group could be heard above the chorus of "Blue Moon" playing over the speakers. "This is by far the best live game I've ever seen." said Dave Nichols, Head of Coaching. Although it was a long day, departing at 2:00 pm and returning back on campus at 2:30 am, we hope to do it again for the semi-final. Will it be the mighty Real Madrid, or Chelsea?
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Recently, Aidan Harris, one of our UDA Gloucester goalkeepers was asked to train with the Gloucester City AFC First Team.
We welcomed recruits from across the country to spend 10 days with us to learn more about UDA, the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester City AFC, and get a taste of British culture during our Women's Thanksgiving Tour! This week was designed to provide students what a first-hand view of what it's like to study, train and play with UDA. Throughout the course of the week our recruits met both UDA, UoG, and Gloucester City AFC staff. During this time together they were able to ask their burning questions and get an up-close view into what opportunities UDA student-athletes have. Outside of competing in games, attending training sessions, and getting a feel for GCAFC, our students were able to dive into British culture. The tour included trips to Warwick Castle, Stratford Upon Avon, and Gloucester City Cathedral. Some students and their families arrived early to explore London before heading to Gloucester! If you're ready to dive into the UDA student-athlete experience and find a place where you'll live, study, and thrive, this tour is for you. Learn more about our 2023 tourIn less than a month, the UDA UoG team will be stepping onto the pitch. After much preparation, we are so excited to welcome the new players and their families! This season, the Gloucester City U21 team will enter the newly named Herefordshire Football League which will add 18 additional teams to their division this year.
Recapping the 2022 UoG Summer TOurOur first UoG Summer Tour was a success! Last week the students and their families returned home after almost ten days of experiencing UDA, the University of Gloucestershire, and the UK.
As we round out the second semester and first full year at the University of Gloucestershire, we wanted to reflect on the past semester. In January, the second term began with training. At the end of the month the boys had a tremendous opportunity to be coached by a former Premier League coach, Richard O’Kelly.
Following the training session the former Aston Villa number two held a Q&A where he was asked who was the best player he had coached. He answered, without hesitation, that it was Jack Grealish, not only for his incredible talent, but also for his hard work and dedication to the game, noting that Grealish would be out on the practice pitch long after his team mates had left.
The top flight hat-trick was completed with an FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Anfield between Liverpool and Norwich, a chance to experience the atmosphere of this iconic stadium and to see the team who will challenge Man City for the Premier League crown at the end of the season. The boys were sat with the Norwich supporters who sang and chanted throughout the game, providing a taste of the sense of humour of British fans. Liverpool won the game and will be playing Chelsea in the Final at Wembley in May.
We look forward to you all returning after the Easter break and continuing your academic and football success!
Reposted from www.gloucestercityafc.com. Gloucester City AFC are delighted to announce their partnership with University Degrees Abroad (UDA). The American based academy are partnered with the University of Gloucestershire to offer American based students a chance to study abroad whilst also receiving a professional standard experience in several different sports.
The partnership will span across the Gloucester Sport model but has first started with football. Players within the academy will compete for Gloucester City AFC at U21 level, with the club now using that age group differently in their new structure. In return the academy will be helping the club’s local talent to gain sports scholarships to the USA so they can continue studies and play at the highest collegiate level. Gloucester Sport CEO, Jay Marriott said: “I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff and Brian over a number of months and see so many similarities in the values that they run their program. The American player market has been up and coming for a while now and we are excited to open our club to them in order to build the program to the next level. For our academy players this will be a different but great opportunity should they wish to access it to look to travel, study and continue to play at a high level. As we develop our player pathways we want to offer as many opportunities as possible to develop them as a player and a student.” Executive Director of UDA, Brian Haley said: "We are delighted to work with a football club with over 139 years of tradition and history rooted in the community. This opportunity will offer our International students and the youth players at GCAFC opportunities in the UK and USA that will broaden their experiences on and off the pitch. The working relationship will further strengthen the UDA mission for students by providing community engagement as they study at the University of Gloucestershire. Thank you to Jay Marriot for being the architect of this relationship that will enhance the mission, vision and values of our respective organizations" We offer a range of different opportunities for students because we know one-size doesn't fit all, so why should a university experience? It is well documented that presently, U.S. collegiate soccer with its limited season and oversized rosters means little true development opportunities for many talented players, restricting student’s optimal development. Across all our Academies, our goals remain the same, to provide the world's best integration of university education and football experience so students can reach their potential in the classroom and on the field. On both sides of the pond, our academy locations allow every student the opportunity to study, live, and thrive. Here's a Breakdown of Each UniversityAs well as what you can expect, to help you determine if this is a good fit for you. The University of GloucestershireLocated in Gloucestershire, England, the University of Gloucestershire is considered the UK’s most sustainable university (People and Planet League 2019). Across three specialized campuses, Gloucestershire is home to over 10,000 students, over 80 competitive sports, clubs, and societies, with over 4,000 placements and internships completed by students. Set in the idyllic countryside with close proximity to the iconic Cotswolds and Shakespeare Country, Gloucestershire offers the best of a small city with the beauty of England's green and pleasant lands.
The University of ChesterThe University of Chester is home to 20,000 students from 130 different countries, with over 300 courses offered across 30 programs. While studying in the UK you will be able to earn your undergraduate degree in just three years. Most undergraduate degrees include a five-week work placement in your second year anywhere in the world!
The University of Chester aims to support and develop global citizens. Offering over 300 degree options across three specialized campuses, UoC has academic opportunities for everyone. Focusing on quality, most degree programs take a duration of three years to complete. In addition to its unique culture, Chester prides itself on offering a variety of student support options. From advice to personal guidance, the University wants all students to have a memorable experience during their course of study. New Mexico State University
In addition to the NM year-round climate, Las Cruces offers outstanding outdoor recreation activities for those seeking an outdoor lifestyle. The campus at NMSU is home to over 11,000 students offering a diverse, vibrant campus culture. Even with a lot of great options, determining what may be a good fit for you, isn't always easy. Know that you don't have to do any of this alone! We strongly encourage you to reach out with any questions. If you're interested in a particular academy, the best way to learn more is to attend a recruitment event. If you're unable to attend in-person, we recommend signing up for an online information session where we will answer all of your burning questions. If you think jumping across the pond might be the best move for you, check out the degree courses offered at Chester and Gloucestershire to get an understanding of what program you might be interested in studying. We're As Serious About Your Future As You Are.This year, the UoG players have had some unique opportunities in the football world. The team had the recent opportunity to attend a Champions League game between Manchester City and the Belgium champions, Club Brugge at The Etihad in Manchester. Following that win, the students came back for another Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford. Finally, the UDA UoG squad attended an FA Cup game between Liverpool and Norwich at Anfield. We strive to create a football experience for every UDA student-athlete. "What an achievement for these players" said Programme Director, Mal Salville. Opportunities to attend professional matches are integral to the student-athlete experience and allow them to immerse themselves in British culture during their time in the UK. In addition to visiting some of the top world class sites for football, the students get to bond with one another during their excursions. It's more than just building a football team, it's about building a team for life on and off the pitch. Learn More About What UDA UoG Offers |