Talent and hard work can take you to places where you have never imagined. From music to sports, people who have made careers out of their talent have reaped the rewards of their dreams. Many Kenyans have proved that talent can indeed elevate your financial status. While we are mainly known for our athletes and rugby players, football has become another lucrative career in the country. Hence the need to join a football academy.
In Kenya, the likes of Victor Wanyama and McDonald Mariga set the pace for upcoming footballers to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
To achieve success as a football player, you need to start as early as possible. You can either be part of a local football team and hope that a scout from a major football team will notice your talent and recruit you or you can apply for a football academy.
Joining a football academy offers better opportunities to nurture your talent and get selected to play for a major football team. Most of the football academies are based in Europe since it’s the home of football. They include
- Barcelona Soccer Academy
- Kaptiva Sports Academy
- EduKick Spain
- Pro Direct Academy
- Brooke House College Football Academy
- ICEF Football Academy
- ISM Academy
- NF Academy
Note: Official club academies recruit through scouts and agents, not applications
Here’s a guide on how to apply for a football academy in Europe.
Requirements
- Must be below 23 years. The ideal age to join a football academy is between 12-16 years. Semi-pro academies accept 20-23 year old applicants
- Guardian/Parent’s details for minors
- Parental consent letter for minors
- Football CV including name, age, height, weight, player position, clubs played in Kenya, and achievements
- Highlight video (usually 5-10 minutes) showcasing your skills in training and matches
- Medical report
- Coach/club reference letter
- KCSE/KCPE certificates or school transcripts
- Valid Kenyan passport
- Language proficiency (English for UK academies) or willingness to learn the host country’s language
- Recommendation letter from school
- Invitation/acceptance letter from academy
- Proof of finances (bank statements or sponsor letter)
- Scholarship award letter (if applicable)
- Proof of accommodation (academy dorms or host family)
- Football gear
Application Process
- Research football academies: Comply a list of football academies you’re interested in and that you’re qualified to apply to. Some key things to consider include the age range, if they accept international applicants, education options and annual costs.
- Prepare a football CV: A football CV is like any other CV. You need to include your personal details, experience, and achievements. You also need video highlights to showcase your skills, a medical report and a recommendation letter from your coach or club.
- Start applying: Once you’ve identified various football academies that are suitable for you, you may start your application process. Some have online application forms and others require you to email them your application. Visit their official websites to make your applications and make sure you have all the required documents.
- Look for trial events and camps: To increase your chances of joining a football academy and even securing a scholarship, you can participate in trial events and camps hosted by the academies.
- Get a visa: Once you’re selected for a trial camp or to join a football academy, you can start applying for a student/sport visa depending on the academy you’re joining. If the academy also offers education, you need a student visa. If it only offers football training, you need a sport visa. You need to present your valid Kenyan passport, official acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, proof of finances, flight booking, travel/medical insurance and other relevant documents during this process.
- Join the academy: After your visa application is approved, you can start preparing to travel to the host country. You should already know where the academy is located and report to the embassy as soon as you arrive then make your way to the location.
- Build your reputation: Football academies aren’t just for building skills, they’re also a good place to network and make a name for yourself. If you perform well, you can get a promotion to youth teams or pro teams. You can also be recommended to professional clubs by your academy coaches.
Note: Football academies are quite expensive even for a financially stable family in Kenya. Costs can reach up to Ksh 4 million per year depending on the club. It’s advisable to secure a scholarship, whether fully-funded or partially-funded, to cover the expenses.