AFDP Global, the international football social enterprise, has today (12 March 2019) announced the launch of a groundbreaking partnership with the International Center of European Football (ICEF).
The aim of the partnership is to connect promising young players from West Asia and in the future from other regions across the globe, with the world-class player development opportunities offered by ICEF in Evian, France.
Access to opportunity
This partnership brings together ICEF’s expertise in elite player development with AFDP Global’s deep access to organisations and individuals at the forefront of grassroots, professional and women’s football across West Asia and other regions around the world.
The partnership has been designed to open up a wealth of training and educational opportunities to promising squads and players as well as young adults from communities in need from across the region. Up to 75 young players from selected squads will receive access to ICEF’s best-in-class personal and professional development programmes on an annual basis.
The first collaboration between AFDP Global and ICEF will take place at the time of the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup in France, during which the Jordan Women’s National Team will train at ICEF in Evian from 19-26 June.
The Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein Scholarship
AFDP Global’s presence and reach into communities in need across West Asia is facilitated by the legacy and work of AFDP Global Founder HRH Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein.
In recognition of Prince Ali’s long-standing commitment to global social change through football, the Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein scholarship has been announced as part of the wider partnership.
This scholarship programme will provide players with opportunities for character development and life skills development as well as potential exposure to a network of clubs linked to the academy.
JF Cecillon, CEO of AFDP Global, said: “This new partnership is based on a belief, shared by our two organisations, that football is a powerful tool to prepare young people for successful lives founded on the values of teamwork, respect and self-discipline. AFDP Global is working in communities in need around the world to improve the lives of children and young people, so working with ICEF and its President, Ravy Truchot, is a natural extension of this work. We look forward to collaborating to create new opportunities for young footballers from West Asia and other regions of the world, providing them with the access to the world-class training and education that they deserve.”
Ravy Truchot, President of ICEF, added: “The International Center of European Football is honored to partner with Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein and AFDP Global and open development opportunities for young international athletes from disadvantaged communities. For ICEF to continue pursuing its global leadership in developing the elite international players who will be able to compete and succeed in European football clubs it is vital to enrich its environment with diversity and inclusion initiatives such as this partnership. We look forward to welcoming AFDP Global’s players in our European Center to help transform their game and their football skills and provide them with the chance to change their life.”