Two UDA players continue to make their mark in England after progressing through the English Universities National Team pathway and representing the South against Jersey Bulls FC.

Just prior to Christmas, English universities were invited to nominate a select number of players for the English Universities National Team trials. UDA players Jaxon Hundt and Mikkiel Graham were nominated by University of Gloucestershire Head Coach Ivor Gumm, alongside two UK players from the 1st team.

The initial trial took place in Bath for the Southern section, with approximately 50 players in attendance. Both Jaxon and Mikkiel impressed and successfully advanced to the next stage — a friendly fixture at Chichester University. Once again, both players performed strongly, earning selection to represent the English Universities South team in Jersey against Jersey Bulls FC, a Step 4 side.

In a tightly contested match, Jersey Bulls came away with a 2-1 win, despite the Universities side dominating possession for long periods. Mikkiel featured in the first half at centre back, before returning for the final 20 minutes at right full back. Jaxon led the line as a lone striker for 70 minutes, looking composed and comfortable at a very high level.
Their strong performances have now opened the door to further opportunities with the South squad, as both players continue to push for possible selection to the full national squad.

Mikkiel reflected on the experience by saying:

“I’ve really enjoyed my experiences with the English Uni South team so far. It’s been a great environment with top players throughout the squad, along with a strong level of competition and staff. I’m excited to keep progressing with Jax and see what we can achieve.”
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Jaxon added:

“I have really enjoyed meeting players from other teams, especially those who we have played against. I’ve loved travelling and bonding with new teammates and playing in different environments — the bonus being that I have gotten to experience all of this with Mikkiel.”
UDA’s Steve Lilley praised both players for their achievements:

“Everyone at UDA and UoG are delighted for Mikkiel and Jax and immensely proud of their achievements to date. The on and off pitch experiences that they have already had are invaluable towards their holistic development, and we hope that the lads’ success will inspire others to follow suit in future campaigns.”

The progress of Jaxon and Mikkiel is another excellent example of the opportunities available to UDA players in the UK — not only to compete at a high level within university football, but also to gain recognition on a wider national stage.

University Degrees Abroad (UDA) is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Bath to support the expansion of its professional football academy operations in the United Kingdom.

The collaboration will provide American student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue a world-class undergraduate degree while training within one of the UK’s leading high-performance sporting environments. The University of Bath is consistently ranked among the UK’s top universities and is home to elite-standard facilities and nationally recognised performance support, serving Olympic and professional athletes across multiple sports.

Brian Haley, UDA Chief Executive, said:
“We want to thank everyone involved in our recent negotiations, particularly Louis Richards, Head of Student Performance Sport, and Pat Cosh from the International Office, for guiding this process over the past year. After visiting campus, meeting staff, and reviewing the performance infrastructure and academic support systems, it was clear that this partnership would deliver a differentiated and truly unique offering within UDA’s professional academy pathway.

Our first cohort of male and female student-athletes will begin their studies and training in September 2027, and recruitment is already underway. The addition of the University of Bath reflects the growing demand from students and families seeking high-quality degree programmes alongside elite-level soccer development in the UK. We are excited to begin this next chapter.”

University Degrees Abroad (UDA) is proud to announce that Abbey Golden has joined the organization as Director of Talent Identification, strengthening UDA’s commitment to attracting high-level student-athletes to its academy programs in England.

A former NCAA Division I student-athlete at the University of the Pacific, Abbey brings extensive collegiate coaching experience, having served successfully as both an assistant and head coach. She holds a USSF B License and is a five-time Head Coach of the Year recipient, with more than 15 years of experience across collegiate and elite club environments. Throughout her career, Abbey has built a strong reputation for identifying and recruiting top talent while supporting the holistic development of student-athletes.

“I’m excited to join the UDA family and contribute to a pathway that provides student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic opportunities,” said Golden. “Having recruited and coached elite players nationwide across the NCAA, Girls Academy, and ECNL, I look forward to collaborating with an outstanding staff and helping guide student-athletes toward a global experience that prepares them for success.”

Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA, shared his enthusiasm for the appointment:
“After an extensive national search, we are thrilled to welcome Abbey to our team. Her deep connections within the women’s game, combined with her proven success in recruiting and program leadership, make her an exceptional addition. We are confident she will help attract talented student-athletes who will strengthen our academies both academically and competitively.”

Abbey will be attending several upcoming recruitment events and looks forward to connecting with prospective student-athletes and families interested in UDA academy programs in England.
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For recruitment inquiries, Abbey can be reached at [email protected].

Following last season’s pilot match against Derby County FC U18s, we’re excited to announce the official launch of the Men’s High-Performance Squad for the 2025/26 season — an opportunity designed to challenge and develop players who consistently excel both on and off the field.

The UDA High-Performance Squad will include standout players from both the University of Chester (UoC) and University of Gloucestershire (UoG) programs who demonstrate exceptional performance in training and competition, as well as strong professionalism and leadership away from the game.

To be considered, players must:

• Meet the required fitness benchmarks, as advised by our Strength & Conditioning team (Physical)
• Demonstrate advanced technical skill and execution (Technical)
• Show strong game awareness and positional understanding (Tactical)
• Uphold UDA standards for character, motivation, and commitment (Social)

Program Touchpoints

• Touchpoint 1: Training Day at UoG — Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (fixture TBC)
• Touchpoint 2: Showcase match vs. a professional academy (pre-Christmas)
• Touchpoint 3: International Training Camp — January 2026 (TBC)
• Touchpoint 4: Training Day(s) — Easter 2026

Please note:
The squad will not be fixed. Players selected for Touchpoint 1 (invites going out this week) are not guaranteed future selection, and players not initially chosen will have opportunities to earn a place later in the season.

This initiative represents an exciting collaboration between our programs, providing a platform for our top-performing players to experience a more professional environment and accelerated development.

As our Women’s Programs continue to grow, we plan to introduce a similar opportunity for them in the near future.

The UDA Gloucestershire Women’s program is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Cheltenham Town Women Football Club, making UDA the club’s official development team. This agreement creates a performance-driven pathway for student-athletes to compete at one of the highest levels of the women’s game, while pursuing their academic degrees through the University of Gloucestershire.

​“This opportunity to be paired with a Tier Three club in the National League provides greater potential for player development than what is typically available through local grassroots football,” said Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA. “Our players will now have access to a professional environment that matches their ambitions and supports their growth both on and off the pitch.”

The partnership, signed this week by Haley and CTWFC Chair Andy Liddle, provides UDA student-athletes with access to Cheltenham Town Women’s coaching staff, shared training sessions, and the opportunity to be selected for the first-team squad. Under the leadership of UDA Program Director Steve Lilley, the relationship will ensure UDA women are integrated into a performance-oriented, well-structured academy environment.

“This is a significant step toward fulfilling UDA’s commitment to top-tier training and competitive matches,” Haley added. “It aligns perfectly with the high standards our U.S.-based recruitment team seeks. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship — allowing Cheltenham Town Women to access a pipeline of promising talent, while our players are challenged to reach their full potential.”

The partnership is further elevated by the appointment of Aneaka Reay-Kemp as head coach. Reay-Kemp, a standout female coach and participant in the Powerhouse Project supported by The FA and Nike, brings elite coaching and mentorship to the UDA women’s program.

“Steve Lilley has put together a fantastic multi-disciplinary coaching team for women,” Haley noted. “With Aneaka’s leadership and the support of the UDA and Cheltenham Town staff, the program now meets all the needs for top-class player development.”
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Haley concluded, “We’re very excited to get started — especially with the talented incoming class of student-athletes and our returning players in September. They’ll be stepping into a true high-performance football and academic environment.”

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to play against the club's reserve team. They secured an impressive 4-3 victory, leaving a positive impression on the club's staff. This marks an encouraging first step in developing a relationship for our UDA students.​

Beyond their training and match at the club, the students also enjoyed exploring the local area, often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," and had some valuable downtime on the beach.

Steve Lilley, Program Director at the University of Gloucestershire, commented, "I’ve been on dozens of tours over the years and this was among the most successful. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the facilities were fantastic. In addition, those players representing UDA conducted themselves brilliantly on and off the pitch. I look forward to our relationship with Beira Mar blossoming over the next few years - they are an extremely forward-thinking club and match our culture and values.”

John Dyke, Program Director at the University of Chester, added,
"Reflecting on our recent trip to Portugal, I'm thrilled to see our UDA students showcase their talent on the field and provide an opportunity for UDA to build meaningful connections with the Beira Mar football club. This relationship marks a significant step in creating pathways for our students, blending football with cultural exploration. It’s moments like these that truly enrich player experiences."
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UDA is proud to announce a new 10-year partnership with Viney St Swithins Sports Club, which will officially become the match day home for UDA teams beginning in the 2025/26 season.

This exciting collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide student-athletes with a high-performance football environment alongside an internationally recognized university degree through the University of Gloucestershire.

Our relationship with Viney St Swithins began organically last year, following a County Cup fixture. It quickly became clear that we share a strong alignment in values and vision — not only in football development, but also in community-building and long-term investment in sport. Together, we are committed to creating a hub for elite football and community engagement.

What This Means for UDA:

• A dedicated match day home for UDA teams
• Access to top-class facilities, with significant infrastructure developments underway
• A true home base to build a lasting football legacy in the UK
• Enhanced facilities that allow UDA to progress through the football pyramid and provide a true match day experience

This long-term agreement includes investment in ground and clubhouse improvements — including new floodlights, upgraded spectator areas, and improved player amenities. These enhancements will not only benefit UDA but also elevate the overall profile of the Forest of Dean region and Viney St Swithins Sports Club.

“We are thrilled to call Viney St Swithins our new match day home,” said Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA. “Their vision for growth and excellence matches our own, and this partnership allows us to build something special together. It’s a home our players, coaches, and supporters can be proud of.”

This partnership ensures that UDA student-athletes will continue to face strong competition and have the support, facilities, and visibility they need to thrive both academically and athletically.

We look forward to officially launching this partnership in the 2025/26 season and building a future of success — on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

We are delighted to announce that Aneaka Reay-Kemp will join UDA Soccer at the University of Gloucestershire as our new Head of Women’s Academy.

Director Steve Lilley personally recruited Aneaka for her exceptional leadership qualities. “Aneaka is an ideal role model for our UDA women,” Steve said. “Her military background brings discipline, focus, commitment, and professionalism—exactly what we want in our student‑athlete experience.”

Aneaka was identified through the Powerhouse Project Cohort (supported by the English FA and Nike) as a coach with outstanding potential. “I’ve seen her in action in my role as a Coach Educator,” Steve added. “Her enthusiasm, tactical insight, and genuine passion for developing players—both on and off the pitch—are second to none. Aneaka also coaches with the British Army Women’s Senior Squad and is completing her UEFA B Licence.”

Aneaka shared her excitement:
“I’m eager to begin working with the UDA women and grateful for Steve’s mentorship. I’ve coached high‑performance athletes before, and I can’t wait to help these players grow—both as footballers and as people. I’m fully committed to unlocking their full potential.”
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Please join us in welcoming Aneaka to UDA Glos as we embark on this exciting new chapter for our UoG Women’s Academy!

We are delighted to announce the launch of a Women's Chester Academy in September 2025. The academy will play in the university league and against top-tier women's teams in the north west region of England. In addition, players will also have the opportunity to compete for Chester City Ladies and/or other clubs in higher tiers of the English women's game under the direction of our UDA staff.

The initial squad will comprise students from around the USA.Our Women’s Recruitment Director, Brenton Dawson has been developing a pool of qualified women both on and off the field from across the USA over the last two years. For 2025, we already have 14 student-athletes committed to joining our program. These women visited the University of Chester last summer where they were able to meet the coaching staff and academic faculty, view facilities, and see the iconic city of Chester. 
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