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Experience UDA’s Women’s Academies This Thanksgiving

A two-campus immersion tour for ID-approved 2027 female student-athletes at the University of Chester and University of Gloucestershire.​
November 22–27, 2026 | Chester + Cheltenham, England​
START YOUR PRE-APPROVAL
Train, compete, meet coaches and current players, attend academic meetings, and experience what it could be like to study and play soccer in England with UDA.

A Focused UDA Campus + Academy Experience

This Thanksgiving, UDA is offering a focused women’s immersion experience for ID-approved 2027 female student-athletes and their families.

This is not a general travel tour or open soccer vacation. It is a structured campus and academy visit designed for players who are seriously exploring the opportunity to study, train, and play in England through UDA.

Players and families will visit both the University of Chester and the University of Gloucestershire, train with UDA staff, compete in two 11v11 games, meet current players and coaches, attend academic meetings, and experience the student-athlete pathway firsthand.
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Families are also encouraged to build additional travel around the official tour dates and enjoy more of England before or after the UDA experience.
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​See the UDA Experience

Before you visit in person, get a feel for both academy environments.
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Watch the Chester and Gloucestershire videos below to see the campuses, players, training environment, and UDA experience that this Thanksgiving tour is built around.

Why This Visit?

This is more than a campus visit.

The UDA Women’s Thanksgiving Immersion Tour is designed to help players and families get a real feel for the pathway through training, academics, team culture, campus life, and conversations with the people who know the program best.

During the tour, players will have the opportunity to:
  • Train in a UDA academy environment
  • Play in two 11v11 games
  • Visit both UDA women’s academy locations
  • Meet UDA coaches, program staff, team captains, and current players
  • Attend academic and international office meetings
  • Better understand the study abroad and soccer pathway
  • Experience life in Chester and Cheltenham
  • Travel through historic Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Ask meaningful questions before making future university decisions
  • Celebrate Thanksgiving with the UDA community in England

​For parents, this is also an opportunity to attend presentations, ask questions, meet program leadership, and gain a better understanding of the academic, athletic, and personal support available through UDA.
START YOUR PRE-APPROVAL
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Who Can Attend?

This experience is open to:
  • Female student-athletes graduating in 2027
  • Players who have been ID-approved by UDA
  • Families seriously exploring the UDA university soccer pathway
  • Players interested in studying and playing soccer in England

One parent or guardian must attend with each student-athlete.


​Participation is by approval only so UDA can ensure the tour is a strong fit for the player, the family, the academic pathway, and the soccer program.
START YOUR PRE-APPROVAL
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Why Is This Tour So Affordable?

The Women’s Thanksgiving Immersion Tour is intentionally designed as a focused UDA academy visit, not a large commercial travel package.

UDA keeps the cost accessible by focusing the tour on what matters most for prospective student-athletes and their families: training, games, campus visits, academic meetings, program presentations, and meaningful time with UDA staff and current players.

Families are responsible for flights and hotel reservations, which gives them more flexibility and control over their overall travel budget. UDA provides the structured academy experience, chaperone support, select meals, transfer transport between Chester and Gloucestershire, training kit, games, and programming during the official tour.
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This approach allows families to experience the UDA pathway in person while still having the freedom to extend their trip, choose travel options that work for them, and explore more of England before or after the tour.

​Build Your UK Experience Around the Tour

The official UDA tour runs from Sunday, November 22 to Friday, November 27, but families are encouraged to make the most of the trip.

Many families may choose to arrive early, spend time in London, explore historic Chester, enjoy Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, or extend their stay after the tour to see more of England.

The suggested travel plan includes:
  • Overnight flight to London on Friday, November 20
  • Optional free day in London on Saturday, November 21
  • Morning train to Chester on Sunday, November 22
  • Official UDA tour from Sunday, November 22 to Friday, November 27

​Along the way, families will experience two very different university communities, travel through Stratford-upon-Avon, and enjoy a Thanksgiving experience with the UDA community in England.
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Come for the training and campus experience — but leave time to enjoy the country, the culture, and the possibility of what this next chapter could look like.
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​Structured Support, With Travel Flexibility

While students are with UDA, they will be supported through a structured and organized tour experience.

Families can expect:
  • A clear daily schedule
  • UDA staff meet and greet in Chester
  • Chaperone support from arrival in Chester through departure in Cheltenham
  • Organized training, games, meetings, and presentations
  • Transfer transport between Chester and Gloucestershire
  • Support from UDA staff throughout the official tour

At the same time, families have flexibility to arrange flights, hotels, and additional sightseeing around the official tour schedule.
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Hotel details will be sent after registration so families can reserve rooms at the designated hotel.

​Tour Details

Dates: Sunday, November 22 – Friday, November 27, 2026
Recommended Travel: Overnight flight to London on Friday, November 20
Optional London Day: Saturday, November 21
Tour Start: Chester, England
Tour Finish: Cheltenham / University of Gloucestershire
Open To: 25 female student-athletes graduating in 2027
Parent Requirement: One parent or guardian must accompany each student-athlete
Approval: Participation is by UDA approval only

What’s Included

The UDA Women’s Thanksgiving Immersion Tour includes:
  • Thanksgiving dinner at University of Gloucestershire
  • Lunches at University of Chester and University of Gloucestershire
  • One evening meal at University of Chester
  • Transfer transport between Chester and Gloucestershire
  • Capelli training kit, game shirt, and bag
  • Three training sessions
  • Two 11v11 games
  • Strength and conditioning / recovery session
  • Academic meetings
  • University international office presentations
  • UDA soccer academy presentations
  • Meetings with current players, team captains, coaches, and program staff
  • Chaperone service from arrival in Chester through departure in Cheltenham

Please note: Hotel booking details will be sent to students and families so reservations can be made at the designated tour hotel.
START YOUR PRE-APPROVAL
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The amazing connections I made within a short week with my new teammates are unimaginable. The coaching staff and other members of the UDA team are incredibly helpful and passionate about making this experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Truly nothing compares to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Sydney Henderson
Current UDA Student-Athlete

​Chaperone Support

UDA will provide full chaperone support beginning upon arrival in Chester and continuing through departure on Friday in Cheltenham.
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This helps create a structured, safe, and organized experience for student-athletes while also allowing families to participate in the tour with confidence.

​Cost

Student-Athlete: $1,050
Parent/Guardian: $450
​

One parent or guardian must attend with each student-athlete.

The tour cost includes UDA programming, select meals, training sessions, games, transfer transport between Chester and Gloucestershire, chaperone support, and player kit.
​

Flights and hotel are not included, giving families flexibility to choose travel plans that work best for them and to extend their trip before or after the official UDA experience.
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How to Reserve Your Place

Step 1: Complete the Interest / Pre-Approval Form

Students must first complete the interest form so UDA can confirm they meet the tour requirements for:
  • Graduation year
  • Soccer fit
  • Academic interest
  • Program fit
  • Availability for the Thanksgiving tour
Interested? START YOUR PRE-APPROVAL

Step 2: Registration

Once approved, families will receive the registration link and next steps.

​Please note:
  • Spaces are limited to 25 players
  • One parent or guardian must attend
  • Your place is not secured until registration and payment are received
  • Hotel information will be provided after registration

Sample Immersion Tour Itinerary*

Friday, November 20, 2026
Recommended Travel Day
Overnight flight to London.

Families may choose to arrive early and spend time exploring London before the official tour begins.

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Saturday, November 21, 2026
​Optional London Day
Free day to explore London.
Families are responsible for their own arrangements on this day.

Sunday, November 22, 2026
Arrival in Chester + First Training Session
Morning train to Chester

3:00 pm: Check into the hotel in Chester
3:30 pm: UDA staff meet and greet at the hotel
4:00 pm: Walk to campus through Chester
4:30–6:00 pm: Training session
7:00 pm: Free evening to explore Chester

Monday, November 23, 2026
Training, UDA Presentation + Academic Meetings
​9:30–11:30 am: Training session
12:00 noon: Lunch
1:00–2:30 pm: UDA soccer presentation
2:45–4:30 pm: Academic meetings
5:00 pm: Meet team captains and current players
6:00 pm: Evening free

​Tuesday, November 24, 2026
University Presentation + First Game
​9:30–11:30 am: Training session

12:00 noon: Lunch
1:00–2:00 pm: University International Office presentation
2:15–3:00 pm: Student Q&A with the Head Coach
2:15–3:00 pm: Parent Q&A with the Program Director
4:00 pm: 11v11 game
6:00 pm: UDA meal
​Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Transfer to Cheltenham via Stratford-upon-Avon
8:00 am: Transfer by bus to Cheltenham via Stratford-upon-Avon

4:00 pm: Arrival in Cheltenham
5:00–6:30 pm: UDA presentation and meet the Head of UDA Football and Head Women’s Coach

Thursday, November 26, 2026
Gloucestershire Training, Academic Meetings + Thanksgiving Dinner
9:30–11:30 am: Training session at Oxstalls Campus

Transportation provided by UDA minibus
1:00–2:00 pm: Academic meetings
3:30–5:00 pm: 11v11 game
7:00 pm: Thanksgiving dinner at Viney

Friday, November 27, 2026
Recovery, International Office Presentation + Final Meetings
​10:00–11:15 am: Recovery / strength and conditioning session

12:00 noon: Lunch
1:00–2:00 pm: University of Gloucestershire International Office presentation
2:00–2:30 pm: Meet the UOG Head Women’s Coach
3:00 pm: Meet the team captain and current players
3:00 pm: Q&A with the Program Director and UOG International Office
*Itinerary is subject to change based on training, match, university, and travel schedules.
Join the Interest List
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​Who This Tour Is For

This tour is designed for serious female soccer players graduating in 2027 who are interested in studying and playing soccer in the UK through UDA.

It is especially valuable for players and families who want to:
  • See the UDA academy environment in person
  • Compare two UDA partner university experiences
  • Understand the academic pathway more clearly
  • Meet coaches, players, and university staff
  • Experience training and games in the UK
  • Ask questions before making future university decisions
  • Explore whether UDA is the right next step
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​More Than a Campus Visit

A traditional campus visit can show you buildings, classrooms, and facilities.

This tour goes further.

Students will train, compete, meet current players, connect with coaches, attend academic meetings, hear directly from university international offices, and experience the rhythm of life as a UDA student-athlete.
​
For families, it is a chance to see the support system, ask meaningful questions, and better understand what makes the UDA pathway different.
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Ready to Experience UDA in England?

Train with us. Meet the people. Visit both academy locations. Explore whether this pathway is the right fit for your future.
​

This Thanksgiving tour is open to a limited group of ID-approved 2027 female student-athletes.

Want more information?

Spaces are limited to 25 female student-athletes graduating in 2027.
Complete the interest / pre-approval form to receive more information, ask questions, and stay updated on registration details for the UDA Women’s Thanksgiving Immersion Tour.​

Join the Interest List

For questions about the tour, please contact:

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Director of Talent Identification – Bath & Tours
ABBEY GOLDEN
CONTACT
[email protected]
BIO
Abbey is a former NCAA Division I student-athlete with extensive collegiate coaching experience, having served as both an assistant and head coach. She holds a USSF B License and is a five-time Head Coach of the Year recipient, bringing over 15 years of experience across collegiate and elite club environments.

​Abbey joins UDA with a proven track record in identifying and recruiting high-level talent and will play a key role in guiding prospective student-athletes through the recruitment process, with a primary focus on supporting women’s pathway opportunities within UDA academy programs.
An Affiliate of Degree Abroad LLC, England.
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