US Soccer Academy

About the soccer academy

EduKick — PIA (Pennsylvania International Academy) is a full-time residential pro football academy with full-time accredited US Charter High School education (including the International Baccalaureate) provided by Mercyhurst Prep Academy.

EduKick welcomes competitive international and domestic student-footballers from 14 to 18 years of age (US high school grades 9-12) to apply.

US and International students are welcome to apply!

PIA is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is in the northeast of America. Most Ivy League schools are in the northeast as well. Good academics has always been one of the top primary goals at PIA for both students and parents. Erie is a great place for kids to adapt to American culture/life as it gives young men and women more opportunities to experience. We believe Erie is safer than most cities and has great various outdoor activities.

Our goal is guiding international and U.S. students, grades 9-12, on a journey that starts with their high school education and is completed with their ultimate acceptance into many of the top universities and colleges around the United States.

For international students:

High School is approved by SEVIS to issue I-20 forms.

Our Charter Prep High School is approved by SEVIS to issue I-20 forms to international students who wish to apply for an F1 student visa. EduKick USA – PIA serves as administrators for the international student and the boarding and welfare program for Mercyhurst Preparatory School, which remains open during all school breaks and holidays.

Accommodations

Students will be accomodated at our Residence Hall which is open all year long (24/7) with clean and fresh air. It helps us stand out as one of the top residential facilities in the United States. We have organized activities scheduled every day.

Our staff works very hard to make sure students are safe, academically challenged, active and are also happy. In addition, our Ambassadors attend and encourage students at activities and sports did weekly to give them an understanding of America.

Please, be advised – Residence Hall is open all year long, even during the breaks (if an international student does not go back home for holidays)

Education

Our affiliated High School, Mercyhurst Prep is a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence founded in 1926. In addition, the school is the only private school in Northwest Pennsylvania offering the International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB program is based on the concept that general education at the upper secondary level should promote the development of the lifelong skills of critical thinking, communication, and integration of the information through an in-depth study of the major areas of knowledge. Successful completion of the program earns for the student a diploma/certificate recognized for university admission and for course credit at many colleges and universities throughout the world.

Safety, Security, & Supervision

EduKick USA is situated on a spectacular 10-acre campus in Erie, Pennsylvania. Located near three major US cities and coupled with easy access to Erie’s airport, we are easy to reach from around the world.

EduKick Soccer Academy distinguishes itself with its commitment to safety, security, and supervision. Academy students have adult monitors/mentors assigned to them.

This sports program rules and regulations are designed to ensure the safety and security of our soccer player participants (i.e. curfews, permission to exit regulations, etc). All soccer player participants are required to carry personal health insurance.

During our pro soccer training sessions & coaching, we have on-site non-emergency medical trainers and personnel who can provide basic athletic-injury care and support.

Soccer training

Сourse Director

The soccer curriculum includes training five day per week Monday to Friday under EduKick’s USA Course Director, Sam Tojaga. Sam Tojaga is a highly experienced, licensed youth soccer coach with an impressive track record of exposing his soccer players to US Colleges and Universities.

Director of Coaching

Yaser Al-Harbi is the Director of Coaching for this football academy of Erie and serves as the Technical Soccer Director for EduKick USA. He holds numerous coaching licenses from all over the world. In particular, Yaser’s licenses include the USSF D License,AFC B License, and FA Level 2. He also holds the NSCAA National Diploma, as well as FIFA Grassroots and Soccer Methodology in Catalonia certificates.

Coach Yaser additionally holds a Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science Degree and has served as both coach and director of numerous soccer clubs throughout the world at the youth and adult levels.

EduKick USA Soccer Academy

Coach Yaser will coordinate the EduKick USA student athlete’s football training, strength, fitness, and dietary programming. In addition to regular soccer training with Coach Al-Harbi, EduKick players will be inserted into their youth squads depending on the age and level of the players for an additional two (2) pro training sessions per week in the evening and play a weekend match (when scheduled).

Сommunication and reporting

All of our participants are provided with language progress reports. Students will receive three (3) technical soccer evaluation reports and three (3) academic reports (from the affiliated educational institution) throughout the duration of the academic year course. These reports are designed to serve as “updates” on general group activities, excursions, special events and any particular issues that may have transpired. The reports are often accompanied by digital photos or video clips that are emailed to parents for their review and enjoyment.

Costs and duration of the Soccer Academy

EduKick & PIA International Soccer Academy lasts from August 30, 2022, to 5 June 2023.

The cost is 53,990.00 USD plus a one-time $200 USD application fee.

Deposit is 8,000 USD

The program’s cost covers:

• Supervised accommodation in our dorm rooms
• Daily Team meals (three) that are nutritionally balanced for an athlete
• Experienced daily pro soccer training & coaching sessions from our Academy Coaches
• Modern state of the art football training facility
• Strength and conditioning training program
• EduKick USA Academy training gear
• High School education at Mercyhurst Prep High School (IB program offered)
• Tutoring and academic support
• College recruitment assistance
• NCAA eligibility counseling
• SAT/ACT prep support
• Team travel and team transportation
• Tournament and tournament registration fees and sales tax
• The Tuition Fee Does Not Include:
• Medical Travel Insurance
• USA F1 student visa application fees
• Personal expenses throughout the academic year

Participants will have to submit the following documents within the registration process:

1. Player’s Academic Transcripts
2. Player’s soccer/football résumé
3. Player’s soccer/football highlight video links
4. Player’s coaches’ references
5. Player’s photo in soccer gear