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THE ACADemy 

please request a trial by clicking the button below
 

JOIN THE BEST ACADEMY IN DUBAI. WITH PROVEN PATHWAYS AND HIGH QUALITY COACHES, BOOK A TRIAL TODAY TO JOIN THE EAGLES!

WE HAVE TRIALS FOR 25/26 SEASON IN JUNE. 

 

LOCATION: kings al barsha

foundation phase (ages 4-10)
Learn to
LOVE THE GAME

at this age group, the main focus for our coaches is to instill a burning passion within the players AND A LOVE FOR THE GAME. 

Our Uefa-qualified coaches focus on fun alongside development. we want the players to be excited to come to every training session and every match and develop a love for the game. 

youth development phase (ages 11-15)
Learn to
PLAY THE GAME

AT THIS PHASE, the foundations will be built from a physical, social and technical level. our coaches start to introudce more and more tactical information as players go from 7 a side to 9 a side to 11 a side.

all players will be pushed and challenged on an individual basis to help maximise their potential. throughout these teenage years it is so important for us to develop the human alongside the football player to make them a well rounded individual ready for the world. Even as the seriousness is increased, the fun side of football is not forgotten. we want our players to love football for all of their lives. 

professional development phase (ages 16-21) 
Learn to
WIN THE GAME

IN THIS PHASE, DEVELOPMENT IS STILL IMPORTANT BUT MORE FOCUS IS PUT ON COMPETING AND WINNING.

a REALISTIC pathway will be decided between THE PLAYER, FAMILY AND GULF UNITED. most players number 1 goal is to become a professional footballer and give these opportunities to those who deserve it WITH their first step into professional football is through our b team or our first team. once they have broken into either of these teams then we look to move them abroad. FOR MOST OF OUR PLAYERS, THE MAIN PATHWAY IS OUR SCHOLARSHIP PATHWAY WHERE PLAYERS CAN CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN THE US WHILST LIVING THE LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER. YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS ON OUR SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE. 




 

  • How do scholarships work?
    A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, mostly athletic or academic. Scholarship money is not required to be repaid. ​ In simple terms, we can use our connections to Universities in the US and Canada to reduce the full tuition fee with Athletic and/or Academic scholarships. ​​ ​
  • What factors are considered?
    The University options that are open to you are based on three main factors: your footballing ability, your academic ability and your budget. When we know the level of each of these three factors we can find the best options for you. ​ We are very selective when recruiting GU players. We need to make sure that all of our players get multiple offers that will best suit their circumstances.​ Many families ask how much the average scholarship is for college men’s soccer. However, that’s pretty difficult to pinpoint. There are many variables to consider and each individual pathway is unique.
  • How does Gulf United make world-class education affordable?
    Gulf United and your child’s talent can subsidize the University Fees. Soccer scholarships are the opportunity of a lifetime. Opportunities that are out of reach for many families. We only accept players onto our scholarship programme who we know will get significant funding.
  • Why the USA?
    The USA is widely recognized as the best country on the planet for Universities. In fact, QS World University Ranks 2019 found that more than half of the top 20 Universities in the world are situated in USA (11 out of 20). With excellent education inevitably comes great expense. In addition to having the best Universities in the world, the USA is also the most expensive place to go to Universities.
  • Who covers the difference if a percentage scholarship is offered?
    It would be the responsibility of the student-athlete and his/ her family to cover the remaining costs to attend the university. Scholarships are based on a sliding scale, so if you have a higher GPA then your test scores can be relatively low.
  • Can you go on to play professional football after graduating?​
    One of the best things about the University system in the USA is that you can achieve a degree without sacrificing the dream of playing professional football. As with any professional sport, you have to be one of the best in the world to compete at the highest level. After completing University, the student-athlete will enter the 'MLS draft' or they can be scouted by clubs across the world.
  • What are my chances of getting a scholarship?
    With over 1,700 U.S. colleges offering scholarships, your sport and academic performance will determine your opportunities. Using our network of college coaches, we match you with colleges that fit your criteria and maximize your chances. We have a 100% success rate for our student-athletes.
  • How much scholarship funding can I get?
    U.S. universities offer stacked scholarships, combining athletic, academic, and institutional funding. This can cover total attendance costs. Most students receive a 50–70% fee reduction in their first year.
  • What does a scholarship cover?
    A scholarship can cover: Tuition fees Accommodation Meals Books It may also include athletic expenses (training clothes, equipment), travel, and other living costs.
  • What types of scholarships are available?
    Athletic: Based on sports ability Academic: Based on academic performance Institutional: Funded by universities or donors (e.g. merit, international, minority, religious)
  • Is it possible to get a full scholarship?
    Full scholarships in your first year are rare as you haven't proven yourself yet. Most start with partial scholarships, but with strong performance, you can earn a full one over time.
  • What is the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA?
    NCAA: Over 1,100 universities across 3 divisions NAIA: 300+ small private universities NJCAA: 2-year community colleges offering associate degrees with transfer options
  • What universities do you work with?
    We work with over 1,000 universities across the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and CCAA, providing scholarships to international student-athletes.
  • What does a typical day look like as a student-athlete?
    7:00 AM – Wake up 8–10 AM – Practice 11 AM–12:15 PM – Class 12:30–1:30 PM – Lunch 2–3:15 PM – Class 3:30–5 PM – Downtime 5–6 PM – Dinner 6:30–8 PM – Study Hall
  • Can I choose my degree?
    Yes. You can choose any major like engineering, business, finance, or chemistry. During your meeting with the scholarship team, they will focus on promoting you to schools that offer your chosen degree.
  • What type of degree will I get?
    You’ll earn a bachelor’s degree in your chosen field. Afterward, you can pursue a master’s degree, often funded by a university in exchange for being a graduate assistant (coach).

© 2025 by Gulf United Sports Services Team. 

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