Image via Blackfriars School
In an exciting development for South Australia’s soccer stars of the future, Blackfriars Priory School has partnered up with Liverpool Football Club, a giant of the English Premier League and European football.
Located in Prospect, the all-boys school will become the home of Liverpool’s International Academy Adelaide, aligning them with one of the sport’s most storied clubs. Blackfriars is the first Adelaide metropolitan school, and only the second school in South Australia, to become part of the Liverpool International Academy program.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the Liverpool International Academy to Blackfriars,” Principal David Ruggiero says.
“From the start of the discussions, it became clear that this was much more than just a soccer program. Blackfriars and Liverpool hold the same values, in that we are committed to the holistic development of young men.”
As part of this agreement, students participating in Blackfriars’ existing soccer program will now have access to Liverpool’s International Academy curriculum of skill development and The Liverpool Way. The school will be able to offer Liverpool FC International Academy community clinics at Blackfriars and the nearby northern parklands after-school and during school-holidays.
These clinics will be open to girls and boys from across Adelaide. The Academy at Blackfriars will also offer community football clinics and coaching opportunities.
Ernie Luongo, Blackfriars’ Soccer Academy Director, considers the partnership a significant triumph for the school and its sports program. The former National Soccer League player and State League Championship winning coach says the team are “incredibly excited to announce this partnership with Liverpool FC, a club that embodies excellence and embraces values that align closely with the ethos of Blackfriars.”
“We look forward to seeing our students thrive through this connection,” Ernie Luongo says.
This partnership not only offers young players the opportunity to hone their skills in a world-class training environment, it’s also a fitting collaboration between two institutions of mutual values.
Ruggiero says that the school’s mission to develop young men of integrity, faith, and character aligns perfectly with “The Liverpool Way”, a club philosophy that exemplifies ambition, commitment, dignity, and unity.
Kevin Grima, Liverpool FC’s International Academy Australia Director of Football, echoed these sentiments, saying that Blackfriars was “perfectly aligned” with Liverpool’s vision.
“We are proud and excited about working with Blackfriars to create a unique environment for students, along with players and coaches in the local community,” Mr Grima says.
Founded in 1892, Liverpool is a football club steeped in history and European success, having won 19 league titles, 8 FA Cups and a record 10 League Cups. Beyond English football, the club has also won 6 European Cups/UEFA Champions League titles.
By partnering with Blackfriars, Liverpool FC will be creating an environment that fosters the growth of South Australian soccer players while applying the core values of The Liverpool Way to the development of young people in contexts beyond the sport itself.
“The Liverpool Way emphasises respect, hard work and perseverance – qualities that extend far beyond the football pitch,” Principal Ruggiero said. “Our students will carry these lessons into their academic and personal lives.”
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