WHO ARE RIASA?
At RIASA, we pride ourselves in being the original college soccer programme in the UK, giving talented international students a way of supercharging their athletic development whilst earning a dual-accredited US/UK degree.
MR. RIASA - MARK ELLIS
Owner and founder of RIASA.
Mark Ellis, the director and co-founder of RIASA, has lived and breathed football his whole life. After signing for Bradford City at just 18 years old, Mark went on to make over 200 appearances in his 10-year stay with the club. A devastating cruciate injury cut his career short, but Mark wasn’t deterred from the sport and began coaching, spending several summers all over the US in Florida, Minnesota and Michigan. Mark noticed that many young players from the US were eager to continue their soccer journey in the UK but lacked a clear pathway to make it happen. Determined to bridge this gap, he began exploring ways to create a programme that would provide American players with a structured route to pursue both academic and footballing success in the UK.
From then on, the foundations of the RIASA we know and love today were laid. Mark collaborated with Richmond American University London, to integrate a soccer programme into their curriculum, and the rest is history. Starting with just 23 students, RIASA has grown to over three times the size, now proudly supporting four squads, including a thriving women’s roster. Today, the programme continues to provide a life-changing pathway for student-athletes from around the globe.
15 years of RIASA
Over the past 15 years, RIASA has grown into a globally recognised programme, combining top-tier football development with academic excellence. We are incredibly proud of the progress we've made, from expanding our squads to providing countless opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive both on and off the pitch. Many of our graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including the likes of Nahki Wells, Christian Eissele and Jonathan Lewis, showcasing the strength of our unique dual-accredited programme. As we have reached this massive milestone for the academy, we remain committed to shaping the next generation of players and leaders in the footballing world.
TRUSTED PARTNERSHIP
Academically, our partnership with Richmond American University London, allowed RIASA to become the very first programme to offer a dual-accredited US/UK degree. We give international students the best pathway to break into the sporting industry, providing a strong academic foundation and valuable connections that can open doors to a range of career opportunities, even beyond playing professional football.
When you arrive at RIASA Leeds
At our Leeds programme, you will work towards earning a BA International Sports Management degree, combining your passion for football with lessons in the theory and practice of the sport. This bespoke programme has become widely recognised over our 15 year history, and allows you to maintain focus on your studies as well as your athletic development, with your weekly timetable giving you dedicated time towards both sides of your degree.
When you arrive at RIASA London
At our brand new London programme, you can choose from 22 undergraduate and 8 postgraduate degrees, giving you the chance to study your passion whether it’s Accounting, Psychology or more. You’ll study in the beautiful Chiswick Park area at the state-of-the-art Richmond campus, receiving a high-standard of teaching that has made Richmond University into the respected establishment that it is today.
Unlock Unmatched Opportunities
At RIASA, your development goes far beyond daily training sessions — it’s about experiencing the full spectrum of what football has to offer, both in the UK and internationally.
Over the course of your time with us, you’ll benefit from exclusive access to opportunities that few student-athletes get to experience. With a wealth of professional clubs located just a short distance from our Leeds and London campuses, RIASA regularly arranges training sessions, competitive fixtures, and behind-the-scenes visits at some of the country’s top stadiums and training facilities.
In recent years, our players have trained at Manchester City’s world-class complex, competed against academy and development squads from Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, and Bradford City, and attended Premier League matches at iconic stadiums like Old Trafford.
Our commitment to development extends beyond the UK through our annual European Showcase Tour. These trips give students the chance to train, play, and grow within new footballing cultures. Recent tours have included experiences in Malta, Finland, Slovakia, and Spain (Real Sociedad) — with past destinations as far-reaching as China.
Whether it's elite training, high-level competition, or unforgettable cultural immersion, RIASA provides a truly global football education.
