The ultimate guide for football academies in Egypt: Schools are almost out, which means parents will probably be angling for ways to keep their youngsters busy in ways that can also be beneficial to them. Enter football academies — of which Cairo has a myriad of options, from beginner-friendly training sessions to ones that can help your kid get on the pro football track. And if one of them ever ends up hitting the big time thanks to this guide, Enterprise is owed a My Morning Routine feature interview with the future star.

ACADEMIES WITH INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS-

Barca Academy is an FC Barcelona-affiliated schoolfor boys and girls as young as four years old. Children can join initiation classes where they will be prepared to begin their more formal training starting at the age of 7. From then on, the academy offers local and international training camps and matches.

Best players get the chance to partake in the Barca Academy World Cup — the largest global competition of its kind held annually at the FC Barcelona facilities during Spring break, which brings together teams from different Barca academies around the world, before they graduate at the age of 18. The championship allows players to perform before international scouts — handing them a chance for a professional career abroad.

The academy currently has two branches: Palm Hills Club in 6th of October, and Hayah International School in New Cairo. You can sign your child up here.

Liverpool FC International Academy Egypt: Talaat Moustafa Group — the exclusive partner of Liverpool Academy in Egypt — brought the club to Egypt decades ago. Head Coach David Ridler (LinkedIn), who’s licensed by the European Football Association (UEFA) to conduct training, has been leading the way ever since, accepting both male and female players as young as five years of age until the age of 16.

Recently, the academy took part in the Elite Neon International Cup in Greece as part of its regular participation in international summer camps, matches, and tournaments.

LOCATIONS- The club has branchesin Rehab Sporting Club, Madinaty Sporting Club, and Al Rabwa Club.

THE PRICE TAG– For club members, fees are EGP 1.1k per month, while non-club members pay EGP 1.5k.

Paris Saint-Germain Academy Egypt: The academy accepts children from four years old up to 18 and offers a training program that has been sent by the club in Paris. The club also benefits from the expertise of a French coach and former professional player Patrick Valéry (Linkedin) who manages and oversees all teams in addition to qualified Egyptian coaches, a specialized fitness coach, and a nutritionist.

Scouts a lookin’: Older players get to take part in the official Egyptian league Plus International Tournament held in Paris, an opportunity to be seen by PSG scouts and move on to play for the French Youth League.

LOCATIONS- The academy has locations across the capital including in New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed, and Heliopolis. You can contact them for more details here.

THE PRICE TAG- Fees are EGP 4.8k for 3 months. PSG summer and winter kits cost EGP 3.15k. You can take your children for a trial session before you make a decision.

Real Madrid Technical School: The Los Blancos club offers classes for children as young as three years old until the age of 16. One advantage is that classes are all mixed — giving boys and girls the chance to play in a team together.

Last April, the school also offered players the chance to play abroad through the Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge alongside the iconic Iker Casillas.

LOCATIONS- Theschool has three branches in Greater Cairo: Club7 in Maadi, Club7 in Katameya Hills, and Arabella Compound in New Cairo. The school also opened an additional branch in Alexadria’s Green Plaza Sports Complex last year, and offers a trial class without charge if you’d like to test the waters first before signing your kid up.

You can contact the club here for more information.

ZED Sports Club Football Academies: ZED sports club’s football academies — which encompass a girls’ and boys’ academy — offers various training programs: Team training suitable for people aged 5-17, one-on-one training suitable for all ages, and tailored team training to achieve specific milestones like coming out on top in a tournament, as well as online coaching.

European football affiliations: ZED’s official football team — ZED FC — recently signed a partnership with the UK’s Aston Villa Club alongside Vitória Sport Clube, to provide players with advanced training, scouting opportunities, and innovative coaching methods. While the academy and the football team operate on different models, the academy gives some players the chance to move on to the youth sector team, allowing them to benefit from the Aston Villa partnership, a representative of Zed Sports Club told Enterprise.

LOCATIONS- The academy is currently only operational at Zed Sports Club in Sheikh Zayed, but should begin offering sessions at Zed East sometime this year, Salem told Enterprise.

You can contact the club herefor more information.

LOCAL ACADEMIES-

Al Ahly Egypt Academy: The academy accepts children from the age of four years old and going up to age 14, putting them on the path for professional football.

Success stories: The academy participates in youth championships organized by the Egyptian Football Association, and is credited for launching the career of young athleteAhmed Abdelkader who went on to play for AC Sparta Prague U21 back in 2018, before landing in Al Ahly’s first team now. New seasons at the academy begin in July of every year until April.

LOCATIONS- The academy has a number of branches in Egyptincluding Al Ahly Club in Nasr City, Diamond Club in Katameya, and Al Ahly Club in Sheikh Zayed.

You can contact them herefor more information.

Hazem Emam Football Academy (Foxes): The academy was founded by retired professional Zamalek player Hazem Emam to foster young talent, from ages four to 14. Classes take place three days a week and schedules vary depending on the children’s age groups.

LOCATIONS- Foxes has several locations across the city including in Maadi’s Club 7, Katameya Residence Compound in New Cairo, EL Kobba Palace in Masr El Gedida, and Mountain View in 6th of October.

THE PRICE TAG- Monthly membership costs EGP 850 in addition to a gym bag for EGP 1.5k to be paid once per season.

Wadi Degla Football Academy: The school was established back in 2003 and has since trained over 4k students led by 112 coaches.

Success stories: The club has successfully launched the careers of young football stars like Omar Marmoush who is slated to be transferred from German club VfL Wolfsburg to E. Frankfurt this summer. Wadi Degla also trained Nader Ghabbour who currently plays for Spain’s Moscardo Club.

LOCATIONS- The Wadi Degla Club has a number of locations across Greater Cairo,including 6th of October, Maadi and New Cairo among others.

GIRLS ONLY-

AIMZ Girls Football Academy: Founded in 2012, sports service agency Aimz has been working on local projects to enhance sports services in Egypt, one of which was establishing a women’s football academy. The academy accepts children from the age of four — possibly younger if the child is deemed ready — up to 30s, with some of the graduates having made it to the national team. Classes take place every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday and timings depend on the girls’ ages.

LOCATIONS- The academy is located in Suez Road, in Gardenia sports fields.

THE PRICE TAG- Classes cost EGP 1.5k per month and a full kit is sold for EGP 2.7k.

KEEP AN EYE OUT-

The Right to Dream (RTD) Academy: Slated to open in 3Q 2023 in West Cairo’s Badya, the residential academy will offer students a holistic academic program complete with an athletic one that complement one another. With the support of the Mansour Group, RTD’s EUR 30 mn Egypt branch has selected 39 student-athletes between the ages of 10 and 16 to launch its unique approach to education and sports. RTD is also looking to expand its presence in the country with a similar academy for girls in the future.

About RTD: RTD academies offer education, football training and character development, serving over 140 graduates and 82 existing students in a number of countries including Ghana.

The academy also has international affiliations with FC Nordsjaelland (FCN), a member of the Danish Superliga, which it acquired back in 2015.

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