Right to Dream Academy is one of Africa’s most celebrated football academies, founded in 1999 by British football scout Tom Vernon with a mission to identify raw talent and develop it through world-class coaching and education. The academy scouts players as young as 12 from across Africa, offering them full scholarships that combine elite football training with a rigorous academic curriculum.
Dual Mission
What distinguishes Right to Dream from other academies is its unwavering commitment to education alongside football. Students follow internationally accredited academic programmes — including the IB curriculum — ensuring that every graduate, whether they turn professional or not, leaves with qualifications that open doors beyond the game. The academy has maintained a near-100% university placement rate for graduates who do not pursue professional football.
Global Campuses
The academy has expanded significantly since its founding on the banks of the Volta Lake in Akosombo, Ghana. It now operates campuses in Denmark — home base of FC Nordsjælland — as well as in Cairo, Egypt and Jacksonville, Florida, giving its athletes early exposure to different football cultures and competitive environments across three continents.
Partnership with FC Nordsjælland
A landmark moment came when Right to Dream acquired a majority stake in FC Nordsjælland, giving its top graduates a direct professional pathway into the Danish Superliga and, from there, into Europe’s elite leagues. This pipeline has produced some of the continent’s most recognisable footballers and established the academy as a genuine global talent factory.
Scouting and Selection
Every year, thousands of young players attend Right to Dream trials across Ghana and beyond. Scouts evaluate technical ability, athleticism, character and academic potential in equal measure. Selected students receive fully funded scholarships covering accommodation, meals, schooling, football kit and medical care — removing financial barriers that would otherwise keep elite talent undiscovered.