Right to Dream Academy

Right to Dream
Full name Right to Dream Academy
Founded 1999
Ground Old Akrade, Eastern Region
Founder Tom Vernon
League GAFCOA
Home colours

Right to Dream are a registered charity in Ghana, Sierra Leone, US and UK,[1] founded to help underprivileged African children develop their potential through sport and education. It has a fully residential academy located in Old Akrade in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Contents

History

Right to Dream was founded in 1999 by Tom Vernon, a former African Scout for Manchester United[2] The academy was previously located in Dawu, Ghana; it moved to its present location in November 2009.[3]

NIKE Premier Cup

The Academy has won the African championship and thus retained the right to represent Africa each year since the 2008 edition.[4] It has placed a best of 3rd playing the best football teams from Manchester United, Juventus, Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid.[5]

Notable Students and Graduates

Abu Mohammed
Now a Manchester City Football Club player, currently on loan to Strømsgodset IF in the Norwegian Premier League[6]
King Gyan Osei
The first Right to Dream graduate to sign a professional contract, King signed for Fulham F.C.[7] and joined Fulham from the academy on his 18th birthday after studying on full scholarship at Dunn School, Santa Barbara, California. He made his debut for Ghana’s senior national team the Black Stars in an international friendly against Tanzania in August 2008.[8]
David "TT" Accam
A student at Right to Dream from 2004 to 2008, David is currently a student at Hartpury College, University of the West of England, and playing for the Forest Green Reserves. In September 2010. He was selected as one of the three from the UK for the NIKE Academy World Final Trials in a match watched by Arsène Wenger.[9]

Other Notable Students

2010 MTG Peace Ambassadors

In 2010, Right was Dream were named Peace Ambassadors and have been invited to participate in a tournament during that year's Nobel Peace Prize Weekend.[14]

References

  1. ^ Right to Dream Academy, Registered Charity no. 1108821 at the Charity Commission
  2. ^ Soccer academies give African boys hope at Independent Online (South Africa)
  3. ^ Right to Dream Academy inaugurates new site at Ghana News Agency
  4. ^ African under 15 champs Right to Dream Academy drawn alonside Werder Bremen in MUPC at Afrikan Soccer
  5. ^ Premier Cup ´09 Africa Qualifications at premiercupafrica.com
  6. ^ City sign Ghanaian Mohammed Abu who is now loaned to Stromsgodset at mcfc.co.uk
  7. ^ Signing off with a glimpse of African football's future at guardian.co.uk
  8. ^ YOUNG KING DREAMING OF BLACK STARS CALL at modernghana.com
  9. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4lq07Wetxl&feature=player_embedded
  10. ^ http://www.righttodream.com/resources/uploads/files/Right_to_Dream_Summer_2009_Volume_I.pdf
  11. ^ Player Bio: Michael Tetteh at UC Santa Barbara Official Athletics Site
  12. ^ Supporters get behind Forest Green Rovers' students at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
  13. ^ En kortare Nordisk resa | Med start i Häcken at forum.fmsweden.se
  14. ^ RIGHT TO DREAM ACADEMY - 2010 MTG PEACE AMBASSADORS at modernghana.com

External links