FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY

ACADEMY IN USA
CONTACT INFORMATION

info@ertheo.com
Phone: (+34) 902 750 359
ertheo.com
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

1. THE ACADEMY
2. AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
2.1 LONG TERM PROGRAM
2.1.1 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND TRIALS FOR ANNUAL PROGRAM

3. COACHING AND COMPETITION

3.1. WHAT DOES THE COACHING COMPRISE?
3.2. COACHING TEAM

4. EDUCATION PROGRAM
5. ACADEMY FACILITIES
5.1. SPORTS FACILITIES
5.2. COMMON FACILITIES
5.3. ACCOMMODATION
5.4. MEALS SERVICE
5.5. ACADEMY MEDICAL SERVICES

6. AIM OF ACADEMY
6.1. EX ALUMNI

7. PRICES
7.1. WHAT IS INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
7.2. PAYMENT METHODS

8. SCHOLARSHIPS AND ASSISTANCE

FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

> THE ACADEMY

The FC Barcelona proficiency academy has been in operation
since 2010. It can boast the fact that all the participants who
graduated through the program have gone on either to obtain
a professional contract or a sports scholarship in the United
States. Grande Sports Academy and FC Barcelona have
together created a professional experience for young
talented soccer players with internationally recognized
coaches who are adept at maximizing the potential of each
player.

The philosophy of FC Barcelona is very present in the

academy coaching and in the education that students receive
during their stay, during which they will have the opportunity
to compete and learn together with other talented players.
For three years running US Soccer has nominated the
academy as the best in terms of coaching facilities.

> AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

The Barcelona Academy in the US has designed programs of varying durations, from several weeks during the
summer to a full year. In all programs students are trained by professional and experienced coaches who implement
the philosophy of La Masia (the FC Barcelona squad) into their coaching techniques.

See below for a summary of all the academy’s programs, suitable for both goalkeepers and outfield players:

Long term programs (for players from 18 years)

• Full course from August to the following June.

Short term programs (boys and girls from 10 to 17 years of age):

• Proficiency summer camp from 1 to 8 weeks (link to summer)

• Intensive winter courses (link to winter)
• 48 hour access trials for applicants to annual program
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

2.1. LONG TERM PROGRAM

The FC Barcelona Academy is one of the best environments possible for young talented soccer players to learn all
they need to equip them for a future in the sport. The combination of a soccer philosophy as famous as that of
Barcelona with the high standards and professionalism of the coaches at the Grande Sports Academy helps maximize
the potential of the young players while they are at the camp.

The academy coaches require students to demonstrate values of commitment and dedication and in turn they use
their experience to support the participants in coping with the challenges that they will meet in their everyday life as
footballers. There is competition throughout the year and the academy’s own team competes each season in the
USSDA league, the principal competition of US minor leagues which has the 70 best clubs in the country.

The academy has an educational institution within its campus – the Arizona State University (ASU), which offers a
personalized education including a range of degree courses (see more in the Education section).

2.1.1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND TRIALS FOR ANNUAL PROGRAM

Due to the high level of training carried out at this academy only a few young players each year are lucky enough
to be awarded a place to spend a year doing soccer coaching in the United States. In order to apply for a place it is
essential for applicants to have had some experience at one of the previous summer camps. Alternatively, players
can participate in a trial day, where coaches evaluate the skills of players to see whether they have the necessary
ability to be accepted into the academy.

> COACHING AND COMPETITION

Intensity is the principal characteristic of the FC Barcelona academy coaching. Tactical team work and match
preparation sessions are other important aspects of the training. There is also specific goalkeeper coaching available.

Coaching takes up at least 20 hours a week and schedules are organized to fit around the academic program.

3.1. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COACHING?

Coaching is aimed at both outfield players and goalkeepers who want to commit themselves to life as professional
soccer players. Participants are coached using the same system as the FC Barcelona squad, a methodology based on
the following principles:

• Taking initiative in matches • Solidarity in the defensive phase

• Ball possession • Unity in the lines
• Ball control • Consistent verticality
• Block pressure • Precision of definition
• Recovery in the opposing camp • Play between lines
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

Competition has a fundamental role to play in the coaching. The academy team competes in the league of the
United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) which comprises the best clubs in the country. The coaches
design preparatory coaching sessions similar to those used with the squad of FC Barcelona.

The academy has a good track record in this competition recently, having won one title, been runners up twice and
reaching several finals in the last few seasons. A total of 68 players who have graduated from Grande have
represented their countries in international competitions and the US Under-20s currently have 5 ex-alumni from the
annual program in its squad.

3.2. COACHING TEAM

All the coaches at the academy have experience and
knowledge at national level. Their focus is on the general
development of the players from psychological, nutritional
and educational perspectives. Grande Sports Academy has
more than 135 employees working across disciplines such as
health and education, there to support the students.
Monitors speak a number of languages (Spanish, English,
Russian, German, Slovenian, Serbian and Croatian) so can
communicate without any problem to the majority of
students. In the training sessions the majority of the coaches
deliver lessons in English, although they can use Spanish if
the circumstances require this.

The two senior coaches at the FC Barcelona Academy in the

United States are:

Xavi Bravo Sean McCafferty

Xavi Bravo comes from Spain and has experienced at
first hand the environment of the FC Barcelona squad.
He brings the benefit of this and his wider knowledge
of European soccer to every training session. Bravo
has the UEFA Pro License and holds a number of
important roles: He combines his work at Barça
Academy with the role of principal coach at the
Academy of Soccer in Hong Kong and coach to the
FC Barcelona under-11s and under-12s at La Masia.
To bring another perspective the academy also has
the services of Sean McCafferty, a north American
who is coach to the under-17s team at the FC
Barcelona academy in the US. He is qualified with the
A License, a coaching standard from USSF, the major
soccer training institution in the United States. He is
also senior coach to the under-16s and under-18s at
Continental FC DELCO, a North American team.
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

> EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The academy offers a choice of education options to students on the annual program through Arizona State
University (ASU). This is a preparatory school which offers a module which is flexible and can be developed around
the interests of the students. ASU serves as the ideal ramp towards obtaining a university scholarship thanks to its
academic program which uses personalized resources and face to face teaching.

The college lecturers bring extensive preparation to lessons and more than 70 per cent have continued with their
education and gone on to obtain a postgraduate degree. Students use state of the art technology to carry out their
studies and have support from ASU staff in discovering the range of university options.

In terms of the options offered by ASU, these are:

• Grade 9: 14-15 years

• Grade 10: 15-16 years
• Grade 11: 16-17 years
• Grade 12: 17-18 years

With the wide choice of education programs, students have the chance to progress their education towards their
chosen profession and become citizens who can make a worthwhile contribution to their communities.
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

> ACADEMY FACILITIES

The FC Barcelona proficiency academy in the US has one of the best campuses in the US, facilities which have been
recognized as the most outstanding of their kind for two consecutive years by US Soccer.

5.1 SPORTS FACILITIES

The campus has everything which is needed for proficiency soccer coaching, with excellent quality pitches and an
athletics performance and physical therapy center to maximize the potential of the players by providing nutritional
guidance, strengthening and rehab after injuries as well as numerous ways of testing the physical capability of the
students throughout the year.

The sports facilities comprise:

• 8 natural turf soccer pitches

• Football pitches and tennis courts
• Hot and cold pools for post-match recovery
• Center for Athletic Performance and Physical Therapy (CAPPT).

5.2. COMMON FACILITIES

• Swimming pool and hot tub • Adjacent golf course
• Personalized lockers for each student • Games room with table tennis and pool tables.
• Changing rooms

5.3. ACCOMMODATION

The academy has its own residence within the campus which
has all the amenities the students need during their stay.
Rooms are shared (two persons) and there is an additional
dressing room where belongings can be stored. Residents
have access to vending machines throughout the residence.
Living together with their campmates in the residence builds a
team spirit among the participants, very important to football
and crucial to the competition which the academy team
participates in.
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
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ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

Bedrooms at the residence have:

Air Conditioning
Two single beds Television

Private Bathroom Weekly cleaning

and Towel change

5.4. MEALS SERVICE

The Grande Sports Academy considers nutrition fundamental to

elite sportsmen and women, thus it has a team of chefs who
prepare healthy meals adapted to the physical demands of the
players’ weekly activities. All students are accommodated on a
full board basis. There is a vegetarian menu available. Similarly,
adaptations can be made for participants who require food to be
gluten or lactose free. The academy ensures correct nutrition for
all the students and varied options, always taking into account the
possible restrictions due to cultural reasons.

5.5. MEDICAL SERVICES AT THE ACADEMY

Another of the great advantages of the FC Barcelona Academy in Arizona is the Center for Athletic Performance and
Physical Therapy, where players receive the necessary guidance on how to take care of their physical health and to
best recover from injuries. This center is located at the same campus, it has medical and physical therapy staff and
first aid services at the disposal of all students on the annual program.

> PURPOSE OF THE ACADEMY

All the staff who work at the FC Barcelona Academy have the same goal - to develop the talent of players who want
to dedicate themselves to a future life in soccer, whether this is by means of a university scholarship or a contract with
a professional club. Within this general aim, the players are immersed in the ideal environment for high level coaching,
they will improve their skills competing against teams from the US leagues and learn values to complement sporting
and academic excellence.

100% of students from this academy have achieved either a university scholarship or a professional contract. Of these,
33 players have begun to play in the squads of teams as famous as Manchester United, Liverpool and Fiorentina. In
terms of university scholarships, 131 ex-students are already attending universities such as UCLA, Stamford, Wake
Forest and Virginia.

6.1. EX ALUMNI

Thanks to the standard of training delivered by coaches who were trained at FC Barcelona, some of the players who
graduated from this program are already playing for prestigious European teams, including:

Brooks Lennon – Liverpool FC

Josh Doughty – Manchester United
Carlos Salcedo – ACF Fiorentina

Apart from these players there are also several who compete in soccer teams at major US universities, combining
their sport with academic studies.
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359

> PRICES
11 months (August - June)
Full student $ 69.500
The closest airports to the academy are Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway Airport.

7.1 WHAT IS INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

Included in the price Not included in the price

• Sports program • Flights/transport from student’s home city to

• Standard academic program (US college) Arizona
• Standard residential accommodation (in academy • Visa application costs
residence) • Transfers (95 dollars per journey)
• Full board
• Sports evaluation
• FC Barcelona sports kit
• Physical evaluation and care

7.2. PAYMENT METHODS

It is a requirement of the academy that all courses must be paid for in advance.

> SCHOLARSHIPS AND ASSISTANCE

The FC Barcelona proficiency academy in the US does not make scholarships to students.
FC BARCELONA PROFICIENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
info@ertheo.com | ertheo.com
ACADEMY IN USA Phone: (+34) 902 750 359