International football academy launched at Northumbria University

Northumbria University, Newcastle, is set to attract top football talent from across the Atlantic, after signing a new partnership with an international sports organisation.

The i2i International Soccer Academy will enable students from the United States to work towards a full-time degree at Northumbria University while also completing a pro-level football training programme. The first students will arrive at Northumbria’s city centre campus in September 2019, after the University and i2i Sports officially signed a deal in May this year.

Katy Storie, Head of Sport and Exercise at Northumbria University, said: “Northumbria was selected as the new delivery partner for i2i based upon our excellent reputation within student football, athlete support services, facilities and international development through sport.

“We are very excited about working with i2i to support our strategy to further embed sport within the international student experience at Northumbria and we look forward to welcoming the students to be part of our sporting community in September.”

All student athletes with the i2i International Soccer Academy will also enrol as full time students at Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School, where they will study for a BA Hons degree in Business with Management.

Professor John Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Business and Law, said: “We are delighted to part of this project and to be working alongside our colleagues in Sport, and with our partners at i2i. Having the opportunity to earn a high-quality business degree from an internationally recognised and accredited business school is a key part of the programme for these students. It perfectly complements their football training by opening additional opportunities for their future careers and enhancing their all-round learning experience while they are with us.”

Andy Milne, Head of the i2i International Soccer Academy, said: “We have been working with Northumbria University for some time now and we are all delighted to announce the news. This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the i2i International Soccer Academy, we really feel that this is just the start of something special.”

James Gore, i2i’s Chief Operating Officer, commented: “Our philosophy is to ‘inspire individuals to fulfil their potential’ our fantastic coaching staff will be working extremely hard to ensure that every student athlete is successful on their own individual pathway. Newcastle is an amazing city to live and study in, they will have a life-changing, cultural experience. Newcastle is famous for its passion for Soccer, it will provide the perfect environment for the student athletes to pursue their sporting and educational dreams.”