LaLiga Academy: Uniting sports training and academics

LaLiga, in collaboration with Epsom College in Malaysia, has unveiled the LaLiga Academy Malaysia, situated on the expansive 50-acre campus of Epsom College in Bandar Enstek, near Kuala Lumpur.

This strategic partnership highlights Epsom College’s commitment to providing a world-class holistic education that integrates both sports and academics, catering to students across Asia.

The LaLiga Academy Malaysia is set to welcome young players between the ages of 8 and 18. These aspiring athletes will have the opportunity to undergo rigorous training following the LaLiga Methodology while simultaneously pursuing their full-time education, including IGCSEs and A-Levels, at Epsom College.

A Technical Director from LaLiga will lead the Academy, ensuring the implementation of the league’s leading training concepts to foster the comprehensive development of youth football players.

LaLiga Academy: Testament to Epsom’s commitment

The LaLiga Academy Malaysia will join the ranks of Epsom’s esteemed Sports Academies, which harmonize high-performance sports training with world-class academics.

Mark Lankester, CEO of the EDUC8 group, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our Sports Academies, in partnership with industry leaders across various sports, provide an ecosystem for students to explore their sporting passions at a high level.

Following the successful launch of our partnership with the Mouratoglou Tennis Programme in 2022 and the recent establishment of the ECM Golf Academy, we are thrilled to introduce the LaLiga Academy Malaysia, offering young aspiring footballers the chance to refine their skills with the renowned LaLiga methodology.”

Sport is seamlessly integrated into Epsom’s existing academic curriculum, which boasts nearly 200 years of academic excellence derived from Epsom College in the UK. Students at the LaLiga Academy Malaysia will have the opportunity to live, learn, and train within a holistic learning ecosystem that places equal emphasis on academic and sporting achievements.

Matthew Brown, Headmaster at Epsom, emphasized the school’s commitment to nurturing a love for learning and providing a supportive environment, stating, “We are thrilled that this partnership will give our students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beautiful game of football, enhancing their skills and playing the game they love without compromising their academic pursuits.”

Promoting football at the grassroots Level

The LaLiga Academy Malaysia is the latest international project under LaLiga Grassroots, an initiative aimed at promoting football at the grassroots level. With over 640 projects led by 900 coaches across 50 countries, LaLiga has established itself as a pioneer among the major European leagues in nurturing young international talent.

Adrián Prol, LaLiga’s delegate in Malaysia, highlighted the significance of this partnership in the Southeast Asian region, stating, “Football is experiencing exponential growth in Southeast Asia, and LaLiga is excited to make its mark in Malaysia.

This partnership brings together two industry leaders in sports and education for the benefit of youth development. LaLiga Grassroots has already trained over 200,000 players and 25,000 local coaches worldwide, and we also recognize the importance of academics.”

The LaLiga Academy Malaysia and Epsom College’s partnership signifies an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring footballers to pursue their athletic and academic dreams simultaneously.

With the support of La Liga and Epsom College, these young talents will receive exceptional training, guidance, and education, paving the way for a promising future in the world of football.

More information can be found on the EPSOM College Malaysia website https://LaLiga.epsomschool.com/ or the LaLiga Grassroots website https://www.laligagrassroots.com/.