New PSG academy launches at boarding school

More than 50 young footballers from around the world have joined a new Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Academy at a Shropshire boarding school.

The academy, one of 14 set up by the winners of the Champions League in the UK, has officially launched at Ellesmere College, with almost half of its players coming from overseas.

Students will compete against other schools and academies, tour PSG's training base in Paris, and could be selected for the PSG World Cup next summer.

Stephen Mullock, from the college, said the academy was the result of 12 months of "hard work" and "offered a unique development pathway" for aspiring footballers who want access to elite-level training alongside their education.

The partnership is a "hugely positive step" for its sporting and educational community, he added.

"Myself and everyone here at Ellesmere College are thrilled to see the start of this journey, where pupils can challenge themselves, grow with confidence and pursue their goals within a truly supportive framework," he added.

Alex Harrap, managing director of PSG Academy UK, said Ellesmere had another international school in Saudi Arabia and that it had worked closely with their counterparts at PSG Academy KSA.

"[PSG] wanted to build up presence in the UK across the board, so they approached us to discuss a possibility of working with a football academy and...a full rebrand into PSG Academy Ellesmere," he explained.

He added that they wanted to ensure "that the players involved in these programmes have additional options and additional pathways, whilst getting a phenomenal education in the school".

Almost half of the academy's students, who range from Year 7 to Year 13, have come from overseas, with some travelling from countries including Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Italy, Poland and Mexico.

"With the school itself, the hope would be that some...other academies around the world will see what's available in Shropshire and available at the school...and be really keen," Harrap added.

Harvey Lewis, PSG Head Coach at Ellesmere College, said the partnership with PSG had been developing for about a year, with the academy officially launching in September.

"The academy is flowing in the right direction. We're building a real platform here for players to go on, do well and succeed, not just as footballers but as people as well," he explained.

"As coaches, it's our job to build them up as young people and then give them a platform."

He added that Ellesmere had an "exceptional" academic record and said previous players had gone on to the US to take up football scholarships.

One student, Mikel Logando, said he moved to England from Mexico City after searching for a college where he could experience life in the UK.

"It was very exciting for me knowing that Paris Saint-Germain is doing an academy here in Ellesmere," he said.

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