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The Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) is an association football academy based in Leeds, England which was founded in 2010.[1]
RIASA was founded in 2010 and is based at Leeds Beckett University's Headingley campus.[1] It "offers international students aged between 18 and 22 the chance to combine studies with playing football across an intense, four-year course".[1] The degree offered is a four-year Bachelor's degree in International Sports Business Management.[2] Players study and train on campus.[2]
It was founded by former professional footballer Mark Ellis,[1] and part-owned by David Baldwin.[3][4]
It is linked to Richmond University, an American University in London,[1] who offer the players their degree when they graduate.[2]
The club had a link with English non-league club Eccleshill United, based in Bradford, but that ended in 2015.[5]
In 2018 they began a women's team.[6] In November 2021 it was announced that a new female football programme would be launched in 2022.[7]
Gerard Jones was head coach until May 2015.[5] As of December 2018, ex-player Rob Jones was RIASA's head coach.[8] In October 2018 they also had "fitness coaches, nutritional advisers and a strength and conditioning coach".[1] James Hanson joined as a coach in September 2021.[9]
RIASA began with 23 students, including Nahki Wells.[1] By October 2018 they had 97 students, primarily American, but from 20 different countries.[1] By February 2019 they had 94 students from 21 countries.[10] Joseph DeMartino graduated in May 2018, and later became a goalkeeping director for American club Fredericksburg FC.[11] In January 2019 RIASA graduate Omar Damba turned professional with English club Sheffield Wednesday.[12][13][14]
Other future professionals who spent time with RIASA include Angelo Calfo,[15] Adam McCabe,[16] Jonathan Lewis,[17] and Christian Eissele.[18]
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