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].