Home/The Academy
The Academy
Founded 15 December 2008. Fully registered and affiliated. Official youth football development partner of the Embassy of Hungary in Abuja and of the Abia State Government through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
What the Academy exists to do.
Goal
To create employment for talented youths through football.
Objective
To promote education and youth football development by grooming young talents through regular training and practice for recruitment by professional football clubs.
Mission
To develop and mentor home-grown young stars capable of competing with the world's elite players.
Vision
To become a premier football academy in Nigeria, producing world-class young talents and providing a structured pathway to professional football.
Led by Mr Ndudi Emmanuel Edede.
The Academy has reputable, experienced professionals in its management team, led by Mr Ndudi Emmanuel Edede, Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
- Bachelor's degree in Project Management Technology
- Master's degree in Management
- Professional training in youth development and sports management
- Vice President, Nigeria Teqball Federation
The technical department of the Academy is managed by experienced, qualified and licensed professionals with good track records in youth football development.
Presentation by Mr Ndudi Edede, Founder/CEO, and his European partners to His Excellency Dr Alex Otti OFR, Executive Governor of Abia State.
Four age groups. 68 places.
Minimum age for admission as a resident student is 10 years, and 6 years for the weekend programme.
| Team | Age | Places | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| U10 | 6–9 years | Weekends | Non-residency |
| U13 | 10–13 years | 32 players | Junior team |
| U16 | 14–16 years | 18 players | Junior team |
| U19 | 17–19 years | 18 players | Elite team |
| Total | — | 68 players | Capacity |
Total football, mixed with one-touch play.
We created our philosophy of play from the bottom of the Academy to the top.
Our total football approach requires players to move in a fluid formation where they can interchange positions quickly. We focus largely on technical ability, which is seen as a pre-requisite for those interchanges. It is the philosophy of pass and move — European methodology.
A three-stage programme from U13 to U19.
Rotation & basics
The first stage of a student's career involves rotation and the basics of football.
Cohesion
The second stage makes the player aware of his importance to the team, and expects him to improve cohesion and performance.
Responsibility
In the final stage the student takes full responsibility and reaches the mental readiness to begin a professional career.
There are tutorials for the students, where we measure their knowledge through exams and tests in our theoretical classes. Teams are divided into groups according to age and knowledge. Students in the elite team receive socio-theoretical, professional, tactical and fitness training that allows them to be ready for integration into the European football market.
Designed to suit the Nigerian education system
Our secondary school students are adequately prepared to sit for the West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations through our academic partnering schools.
Open to every category of our teams
Our scholarship scheme is open to all categories of our teams, but most of all to those in the elite team — where we take full responsibility.
What a place at Dreamland opens up.
- Opportunity for trials at professional football clubs in Europe and beyond
- Opportunity for trials with the Nigeria national youth teams
- Opportunity to participate in international football scouting competitions
- Opportunity to learn teqball, a new sport in the world
- Best-moment video clips of outstanding students sent to our foreign partners for possible recruitment assessment
- Opportunity for students who pass SSCE / NECO to continue their studies in higher education institutions in Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Germany and elsewhere
Who we have played.
International matches against top-quality teams, at home and abroad.
Portugal
2011 · Alcochete
SL Benfica · CF Os Belenenses · Olímpico Montijo · Pescadores da Costa da Caparica
Ghana
2010 · Kpong
Red Bull Soccer Academy · Golden Boots Academy · Tema Youth FC
Nigeria
Domestic fixtures
Enyimba FC · Rangers FC · Heartland FC · Dolphins FC · Sharks FC · FC Ifeanyiubah · Golden Eaglets · Future Eagles
A wide recruitment network, coordinated centrally.
The Academy Chief Scout coordinates all scouting activities. Our player recruitment channels include, but are not limited to:
- Scouts' identification
- Friendly games and tournaments
- Local academies' and clubs' recommendations
- Open trials organised at various locations
- Direct player registration
International scouts at the championship.
Key achievements in tournaments and training camps.
Twice a year
We organise a soccer camp during the holidays for primary and secondary school students twice a year — August/September and March/April.
Full boarding
Admission is open for secondary school students in January and September, while secondary school graduates are admitted all through the year. Primary school students and beginners are welcome only on weekends.
People's Club of Nigeria, Osisioma
The official home of Dreamland Football Academy in Aba, Abia State. An atmosphere with natural deposits of trees and flowers — a tranquil environment suitable for learning and sporting events. Its security network and arrangement are top-notch.
Admission & enquiries
Parents, guardians, scouts and clubs are welcome to contact the Academy directly.
Contact the Academy
Being a sportsman means more than training and matches.
Giving something back to the public that supports and follows the Academy's activities is very important to us.
Role models
We strive to bring up players who can be seen as role models and idols to the younger generation. Our students are trained to behave in a manner that makes parents and guardians proud of them, and encourages other children waiting to emulate them.
Charity activities
The Academy occasionally gives aid and support to the physically challenged and the less privileged. During this exercise the team or management visits orphanages or those in need with funds and materials such as souvenirs and food items.
Events participation
Our players and the leaders of the Academy support events with funds and materials — festivals, grassroots matches and other community fixtures.