FC Barcelona & Grande Sports World To Develop Residential Academy
FC Barcelona and Grande Sports World (GSW) have partnered to develop a residential academy in Arizona as top players from the U.S. and around the world receive an opportunity to take their skills to the next level with guidance from the Spanish giants.
Grande Sports Academy is one to the top USSDA academies and was the first facility to offer a complete residency program that includes dorms, daily nutrition, a superior athletic complex, safety, security, education and tutoring.
MLS’ Real Salt Lake Development Academy utilized the facility to create a dynamic academy environment but due to distance, will leave at the end of this US DA year.
Related Article: FC Barcelona’s Youth FCSEscola In San Diego
Youth Soccer News: FC Barcelona is seriously impacting the youth soccer landscape in the USA. After the launch of several FC Barcelona Escola’s and the landmark opening of a New York program which is tied directly to Barcelona’s youth program at La Masia, now the Spanish soccer giant has announced a new partnership with Grande Sports World (GSW) to launch a new residential academy in Casa Grande, Arizona,
The just inked agreement to develop a ‘Barça Academy’ sporting residence — which will have U.S. Soccer Development status will house an academic and soccer training center for children between the ages of 13 and 19.
The players that form part of this program will also compete in the highest division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s (USSDA) youth soccer categories. This new residence will fill the gap between FCBEscola programs, college and professional soccer.
The players from the Barça Academy will have the opportunity to continue growing, both athletically as well as academically, which will allow them to choose between professional soccer or to attend college on athletic scholarships.
These athletes will be trained by coaches who have been part of the FC Barcelona staff in recent years.
The arrival of this new project in the United States reinforces the club’s expansion that has been ongoing since last September, including the opening of the club’s New York office and other sports-related projects that FC Barcelona has undertaken.
Teaching Barça Values in the United States
The primary goal of FC Barcelona’s model is the training and education of its students. This model seeks to extend the Barça brand and transmit the club’s philosophy of hard work and values around the globe.
The Barça Academy works with its own unique model based on the Barça methodology that focuses on a creative and attacking style of play. This also includes an indispensable message based on values: respect, humility, effort, ambition and teamwork.
FC Barcelona has different programs in the United States in Florida, Charlotte, Austin, Chicago, Northern Virginia, San Diego and Long Island, New York.
This groundbreaking youth soccer Barca Academy further expands FC Barcelona’s footprint and stake in developing the soccer industry in the U.S. For a soccer club who won their first trophy in 1902, their interest in US youth soccer is remarkable and distinct.
While other huge professional clubs from Europe have made entries into our complex topography, none have made the widespread effort of Lionel Messi‘s crest.
If players want to try out for the Barca Academy — which has U.S. Soccer Development Academy status — please click here
Recently, the club also announced its intention to establish a women’s team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which is rumored to be based on the West Coast.
Please note: Editorial correction of age range of players. Article was originally published with age range of 12-19 and has but was corrected within in the hour to reflect 13-19. We apologize for any confusion.
