Liverpool FC, Blackfriars announce Liverpool International Academy Adelaide

Blackfriars has partnered with world football giant Liverpool FC to become home to the Liverpool International Academy Adelaide.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Blackfriars, aligning the school’s ambitions with one of football’s most storied clubs.

As well as delivering a high-performance soccer program that mirrors the one experienced by players in the UK, the Liverpool International Academy aims to inspire students to be the best they can be, enabling opportunity and creating an environment for success.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the Liverpool International Academy to Blackfriars,” Blackfriars Principal David Ruggiero said.

“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.”

He said the opportunity for students to learn to play “The Liverpool Way” aligned perfectly with Blackfriars’ mission to develop young men of integrity, faith and character.

The Liverpool Way is a philosophy that runs throughout Liverpool FC, incorporating the four core values of the club – ambition, commitment, dignity and unity.

“The Liverpool Way emphasises respect, hard work and perseverance – qualities that extend far beyond the football pitch,” Mr Ruggiero said.

“Our students will carry these lessons into their academic and personal lives.”

A game-changing partnership

Blackfriars is the first Adelaide metropolitan school – and just the second school in South Australia – to partner with Liverpool FC.

Liverpool FC International Academy Australia Director of Football Kevin Grima said Blackfriars was “perfectly aligned” with Liverpool Football Club’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 said.

“Liverpool Football Club’s vision is to be the world leader in developing young people through football. We want our programs to deliver not only strong football outcomes, but also contribute to a young person’s journey, wherever their pathway leads.”

Blackfriars’ Soccer Academy Director Ernie Luongo – a former National Soccer League player and State League Championship winning coach – said the partnership was a significant coup for the school and its soccer program.

“We 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,” Mr Luongo said.

“From our humble beginnings, we have always had a vision to create opportunities for our students that inspire growth, character and leadership. This partnership allows us to bring the four pillars of Blackfriars – Prayer, Study, Community and Service – into perfect harmony with ‘The Liverpool Way’.

“We look forward to seeing our students thrive through this connection.”

The Liverpool FC International Academy at Blackfriars will also offer coaching opportunities as well as community football clinics.

About Liverpool FC

Liverpool Football Club, founded in 1892, is a professional football club based in Liverpool, 286km northwest of London. Competing in the English Premier League, they have played their home games at Anfield since their inception. The club is renowned for its passionate fan base and rich history.

Liverpool has secured 19 league titles, with their most recent Premier League triumph in 2019-20. They have also won eight FA Cups and hold a record 10 League Cups.

On the continental stage, Liverpool has claimed six European Cups/UEFA Champions League titles, the most among English clubs. Their victories span from their first in 1977 to their latest in 2019. Additionally, they have won the UEFA Cup three times and the UEFA Super Cup four times.

Liverpool International Academy Adelaide

Students in the existing Blackfriars soccer program will have access to the Liverpool FC International Academy curriculum encompassing skills development and The Liverpool Way.

All Blackfriars soccer coaches – including staff and volunteers/old scholars in our co-curricular program – will undertake formal accreditation with Liverpool FC International Academy.

That accreditation will allow them to deliver Liverpool FC International Academy after-school and school-holiday community clinics, open to girls and boys from across Adelaide. These will be conducted at Blackfriars and the nearby northern parklands.

All teachers and coaches at Blackfriars will be invited to participate in accreditation that encompasses The Liverpool Way, incorporating the core values of ambition, commitment, dignity and unity. These values can be applied across all teaching and learning and in any sporting context.

The academy is a partnership project between the world-famous football club and the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE), Australia’s leading independent higher education provider for specialist degrees in sport, education, health, sport business and dance.

By partnering with ACPE, Liverpool FC has created an environment that combines the educational expertise and resources of Australia’s leading sports-specific private tertiary institution with the proven coaching methodology and philosophy of the club.