The unfortunate truth is that most US college soccer programmes merely consider soccer an extracurricular activity and only offer a four month-long season. Meaning that student-athletes with dreams of reaching their potential don't have the time to fully commit to their goals. 

However, millions of young people decide to attend a college in the US with the misguided dream of achieving their academic and athletic potential only to find that the two aspects of the programme are not given equal attention. 

We think that's wrong. Student-athletes shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in pursuit of their dreams.  

It was from this core belief that ex-professional player, Mark Ellis, had the inspiration to form RIASA. Resulting in an integrated academic and soccer programme that allows student-athletes to pursue their potential in the UK confidently, safe in the knowledge that they have both a US and a UK degree, coaching qualifications and rich life experiences upon graduation.

With that in mind, here is our agreement with our student-athletes:

• To guide you on your journey and help you reach your academic and athletic potential. 
• To always provide you with options athletically and academically.
• To do everything we can to make sure you graduate with a respected US/UK-accredited degree, coaching qualifications, refereeing badges and unrivalled life experiences. 
• To ensure that no matter what, you come out of the RIASA programme as a better student, athlete and person.

You ought to be able to reach your potential without sacrificing your education or your playing time. This is why we are fundamentally different, our student-athletes leave the RIASA programme as well-rounded, accomplished and respected individuals. No matter where their path leads.

As RIASA is a partnership with Richmond, The American International University in London, we are unfortunately exempt from typical scholarship initiatives. However, RIASA does have access to a sponsorship fund each academic year with which the coaches, academic staff and management are able to distribute amongst the RIASA Student-Athletes. In order to be eligible for such sponsorship, a student-athlete must meet all, or in exceptional cases, some of the following criteria:

• Maintenance of a 3.0 GPA score in line with agreed, signed scholarship contract

• Demonstrative athletic potential in line with agreed, signed Richmond University and RIASA code of conducts

• Attendance of 95%+

• Unwavering commitment to all aspects of the programme

Whilst RIASA prides itself on offering all it’s student-athletes a truly professional experience, we are not a professional soccer academy in the sense of we are not directly or formally linked to a professional club. We are unique in our academic partnership with Richmond and therefore our aim is to develop our student-athletes with everything they need to reach their optimal playing potential, this includes providing the best staff, facilities, and playing opportunities.  Of course, we can never guarantee an exit route into the professional or semi-professional game, but we can promise you the opportunity of a lifetime to grow, physically and mentally in an environment made for success.

As part of our unique partnership with Richmond, The American International University in London, we have specifically designed the dual-accredited BA International Sports Management degree to work around the intense demands of the soccer programme. Therefore, the BA International Sports Management degree is the only undergraduate degree programme available with RIASA. However, should a student-athlete wish to pursue postgraduate study, they can select from multiple postgraduate degrees from Leeds Beckett University to study alongside the soccer programme.