International Soccer Schools

Kids can start enjoying the physical benefits of soccer already at a young age through prestigious soccer training schools located overseas. Of course, many of the best schools are in Western Europe where soccer (or football) is a phenomenon. Most of the international schools start training kids for soccer at the age of seven or eight.

  1. Bobby Charlton Soccer and Sports Academy

    • This soccer summer school in Manchester, England, was founded in 1978 and has a who’s who of soccer greats who went here in their childhood, including David Beckham. It was founded and self-named after legendary soccer and World Cup champion Sir Bobby Charlton. Along with all the familiar name-dropping, this school also has one of the best soccer training programs in the world. After initial training, all students are required to take the school’s famous Skill Test Drills to make sure each student is progressing in learning various soccer techniques. Once passed, a student can go on to the International Skill Final held every October.

      The entire school is huge and holds eight playing fields, a gym and schooling facilities where English is taught. Foreign students are encouraged to speak English every day and in all situations on campus.

      BCSSA takes students as young as eight years old. Staying for six days and five nights costs $1,045 per person as of 2010.

    Spanish Soccer Federation International Soccer Camp

    • Spain has as much ravenous love for soccer as the United Kingdom does as noted by their 2010 World Cup win. This Madrid-based school opened in 2010 and exists only for those serious about learning soccer skills. Coaches are chosen from the prestigious RFEF, or the Real Federación Española de Fútbol. The English equivalent is the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

      Each day has at least three to four hours of soccer training, five days a week, though the best players will be chosen on a student’s first day there. On the weekends, students successfully picked for the full summer course will be treated to field trips within Madrid.

      For the full stay of fourteen days, thirteen nights, the cost is $2,995 as of 2010. Only those from ages eleven to seventeen are allowed to attend here.

    Manchester United Soccer Schools

    • This school in the United Kingdom is particularly notable because it allows boys to play with girls as co-eds, unlike the other international soccer schools above. As with the Bobby Charlton soccer school, Manchester United also has a skills challenge test that can allow a student to participate in a major game later.

      You’ll get seven large soccer fields to train on here, along with the usual amenities of a swimming pool and golf course. One plus here is in the care and guardianship the school gives to young people living on campus through the Manchester United Soccer School Development Model. Courses of various levels are offered for both boys and girls. More intense training happens for those from 17 to 18 with a spotlight on future career goals in world soccer.

      A full course is six days, five nights, generally in the middle of July. The cost for the full course is $1,245 as of 2010.