League Football Education (LFE) is pleased to announce its 2024 ‘Turing’ Trips to Australia and the USA.
These offer a unique opportunity for young footballers who have recently completed their two-year apprenticeship at English Football League (EFL) Academies to further their careers and themselves.
The trips, which saw a squad of 14 former apprentices fly to Melbourne, Australia on Sunday 17th November and will see another 16 fly to Tampa, USA on the 24th November 2024, are funded by the UK governments’ official global learning and exchange programme, Turing.
Through this funding, participants will be able to immerse themselves in the culture of U.S. and Australian soccer, and be given a platform to showcase their talents in front of United Soccer League (USL) and National Premier League (NPL) clubs and coaches.
They provide a chance for attendees to secure long-term football employment in U.S. and Australian professional football, at the same time fostering sustainable pathways for future EFL academy graduates not offered professional terms in the UK.
Moreover, they will enrich the personal growth of the individuals involved through interaction with the U.S. and Australian sporting landscapes and the communities that surround and support them.
Participants will also gain insights into the international labour market and educational opportunities in the U.S. and Australia, expanding their options beyond and alongside football.
Participants will develop key employability and life skills such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork, all while navigating new cultural environments. The trips will also enhance participants self-awareness, cultural understanding, and personal growth, equipping them with attitudes and behaviours beneficial for life both on and off the pitch.
The funding is also vital for those who would not otherwise be able to access such opportunities, helping overcome educational, financial, social and cultural barriers to their professional and personal progress.
LFE’s Chief Executive Sarah Stephen notes:
“These trips encapsulate everything LFE aims to achieve, opening up realistic playing opportunities abroad and also wider developmental outcomes for our former apprentices.
“Playing in USL Academy Events, whilst also volunteering to help with the Hurricane Milton clean up, or hearing from former apprentices who are now Australian citizens that own their own companies after playing over there. These experiences offer inspiration, develop vital skills and offer tangible transition pathways, allowing our former apprentices to build on what they’ve learned in the Academy system and thrive in the short, medium and long term.”
LFE secured the funding and recruited the participants, but the trips themselves would not be possible without the enormous support and dedication of our strategic partner USL and our delivery partner, Varsity Nine.
The USL plays a central role in the U.S. soccer landscape, providing a comprehensive youth-to-pro pathway for player development. As the league grows, international partnerships are becoming a key component of its expansion.
“As we explore ways to push USL further into the global landscape of international football, a key element of this plan will be to strategically expand USL’s pathways into key European markets. Partners like the English Football League & League Football Education are vital in achieving these goals,” said Oliver Wyss, USL’s Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director.
USL’s commitment to youth development is clear in its ongoing support of programs like the Turing Scheme.
“Being able to integrate a team of this quality into our USL Academy Finals tournament experience will be critically important to exposing our top young talents to international competition,” said Liam O’Connell, USL Technical Director of the Men’s Pathway.
“Beyond that though, it will provide a fantastic benchmarking opportunity to help us compare and assess the talent level of our USL pro prospects against some of their European counterparts.”
The partnership with LFE and EFL provides unprecedented access for players, including visits to facilities like the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ training grounds, university tours, executive Q&A sessions, and invitation games at the Academy Finals. This exposure helps bridge the gap between U.S. soccer and international development, providing players with valuable insights and experiences to further their careers. The league’s support, including official USL apparel and footwear partner Charly’s contributions to kit and equipment, ensures that these players have the resources they need for success.
Varsity Nine Director Tyrelle McLeod-Bentley notes:
“We had the opportunity of taking a cohort of players on a similar tour to Australia last year. This was really successful, with a number of LFE alumni players signing contracts with clubs across the country.
“Throughout the tour, players get to experience the local culture and football landscape, as well as getting the chance to explore other opportunities outside of playing football in the local territory.
“We look forward to delivering a first-class experience for the participants who are taking part in the upcoming trips to the U.S and Australia.”
Watch our short video on YouTube to hear what some of the attendees are looking forward to the most by clicking here.
