San Diego FC Begins Construction of Right to Dream Youth Academy, Boosting International Talent Development
San Diego FC, the Major League Soccer’s 30th franchise set to start playing in 2025, has broken ground on its groundbreaking Right to Dream Youth Development Academy. The facility, located at the Singing Hills Country Club, will be operated by the team and promises to nurture future generations of world-class players in the greater San Diego area. The project highlights the club’s commitment to creating opportunities for young talent to flourish and its vision of becoming a leading hub of football excellence and innovation in North America.
One notable aspect of the academy is its emphasis on fostering binational talent development. Tom Penn, CEO of San Diego FC, expressed his excitement about recruiting the best young players from both sides of the border. With the academy situated within 50 kilometers of the United States-Mexico border, the club can tap into talent from all of San Diego County and even extend its reach across the border into Tijuana. This unique approach will allow the academy to select the most promising 12-year-old boys and girls who will undergo comprehensive training and development throughout their middle and high school years.
The Right to Dream facility will be run like a private school, complete with its own curriculum and a holistic approach to player development. Students enrolled in the academy will receive extensive training and support, not only in football but also with their educational pursuits. What sets this academy apart is its commitment to providing full scholarships to all residential athletes for a period of five years, regardless of their football performance. This scholarship-based system aims to instill character, foster academic growth, and help the young athletes achieve their goals, whether in professional football or with pursuing further education.
Furthermore, the Right to Dream Academy also guarantees that upon completing their education, students will receive free college tuition if their football aspirations do not come to fruition. San Diego FC is determined to support each right to dreamer as they progress along their chosen path, ensuring they have every opportunity to pursue their passion for football or excel in their academic pursuits.
For the Sycuan Tribe of the Kumeyaay Nation, the groundbreaking ceremony was a moment of great pride. This tribe has ownership stakes in San Diego FC and also owns the Singing Hills Country Club where the academy is being built. The chairman of the tribe, Cody Martinez, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and its potential impact on the next generation of athletes and future leaders in the San Diego community. The academy’s binational approach is particularly significant as it falls within traditional Kumeyaay land that extends into Mexico, providing an opportunity to nurture talent from both sides of the border while also scouting players from Native American communities.
San Diego FC’s Right to Dream Academy is the fourth of its kind worldwide, with others already established in Ghana, Egypt, and Denmark. These academies are acclaimed for their unique model of talent development that emphasizes character building, football training, and educational focus. Unlike the traditional pay-to-play approach often seen in the United States, the Right to Dream San Diego academy offers an exclusive scholarship-based program, ensuring access to the best young players in the region, regardless of their financial backgrounds.
The completion of the Right to Dream facility is expected in early 2025, and the first class of students will arrive that fall to commence their education and training. San Diego FC is on track to become the first MLS club to integrate a privately operated school with a residential football academy, embodying their commitment to providing a comprehensive and supportive environment for young athletes.
With its visionary approach, San Diego FC aims to not only transform the future of football in the region but also provide a platform for young players to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
