UDA is delighted to announce the launch of its UK academy at the University of Gloucestershire, September 2021. The academy will follow the success of the UDA Academy at the University of Chester, which is now running at capacity.

The UDA Academy at the University of Gloucestershire has been created in response to students and families seeking an opportunity for an integrated university experience within a professional football development program. The UDA Academy at the University of Gloucestershire recruitment will meet the needs of aspiring football student-athletes, specifically from Asia. ​

The University of Gloucestershire Academy will be headed by former Professional League Managers and Players, Programme Director Jon Whitney and Head of Coaching Tommy Taylor. 

Whitney played at Huddersfield Town and Hull City with over 200 league games and Taylor played at West Ham United and Leyton Orient making over 600 league appearances. They both managed in the Football League at Walsall and Leyton Orient, Cambridge, and Peterborough respectively.

The programme will include year-round playing of a carefully selected schedule of games against a variety of opposition from youth academy professional teams, semi professional teams as well as university teams in the region. 

The educational timetable of the students will be coordinated to ensure success in the classroom and on the field. Twice per year players will receive formative feedback in order to ensure their continued development. 

UDA will also provide additional student support, outside of what international students already receive at the University of Gloucestershire, through the UDA student support office which is overseen by Paul Nichols, the Assistant Programme Director. Nichols will work closely with the support office so students within the UDA programme are fully connected to their academic studies. Additionally, the UDA student support office will monitor class attendance and provide general academic support for student's success and ensure a positive  experience as they work towards their graduation.

The programme is expected to open in September 2021 and interested students should contact UDA International Recruitment Director, Coach Seamus Reilly at sreilly@udauk.org for application details to the Academy and the University of Gloucestershire.