IMG Academy: A Holistic Approach to Soccer Development

IMG Academy is a renowned multi-sport training and preparatory school located in Bradenton, Florida, known for its comprehensive approach to developing elite athletes. Originally founded as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1978, it was acquired by the International Management Group (IMG) in 1987, marking the beginning of its expansion into various sports programs. In 2012, the institution officially became "IMG Academy." The academy provides a unique environment where student-athletes, from grades 6 through 12, can pursue their athletic dreams while receiving a quality education. The soccer program at IMG Academy is designed to nurture talent, enhance skills, and prepare athletes for success at the collegiate and professional levels.

Holistic Development Philosophy

IMG Academy distinguishes itself through a holistic development plan that extends beyond the soccer field. Don Cameron, the Director of Soccer at IMG Academy, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their approach, stating, "Here at IMG Academy, we have a 10-month holistic development plan which separates us from most clubs in the United States. This development model also includes key distinguishing factors involving Academics and Athletic and Personal Development."

The academy places equal importance on the personal, academic, and athletic growth of its student-athletes. This includes fostering leadership skills, life skills, and character development. IMG Academy prepares every student-athlete to elevate their game through personal development in areas of coachability, focus, resilience and handling pressure.

Comprehensive Soccer Training Program

The IMG soccer program encompasses all aspects of training and development, including technical, tactical, strength and conditioning, mental training, and nutrition. IMG Academy soccer student-athletes have access to proven performance training in areas like vision training, strength & conditioning, nutrition, and sports medicine. Athletic Development coaches and trainers integrate into the program's larger support system, ensuring that each student-athlete feels confident and prepared off the field as well.

Technical and Tactical Skills

Soccer training includes position-specific instruction, foundational tactics, cohesive play, communication skills, and mental toughness. Training includes team field sessions with an emphasis on decision-making and tactical game management, speed of play, proactive on-field thinking, individual development plan sessions inclusive of video analysis and team building / leadership, and games or scrimmages. Throughout the program, IMG Academy soccer coaches leverage their professional and collegiate experience and ensure that each student-athlete has the necessary tools to achieve their goals.

Strength and Conditioning

IMG Academy’s Strength & Conditioning team designs a specific program that supplements soccer training to help student-athletes reach their potential. Outwork and outlast the competition with IMG Academy’s Strength & Conditioning program. Our team of performance experts design a program that supplements sports training to help student-athletes reach their potential.

Sports Medicine and Nutrition

IMG Academy’s Sports Medicine program educates and helps student-athletes keep their bodies healthy during demanding training and competition schedules. At IMG Academy, we understand how important it is for student-athletes to fuel their bodies to meet their high-level lifestyles and sport demands. Vision Training is not just about seeing - it’s about doing.

Age-Specific Workloads and Training Programs

IMG Academy’s soccer program has defined age-specific workloads and training programs to ensure that student-athletes have a clear pathway to progress through the program and maximize their potential. IMG Academy soccer coaches focus on developing the “competitor” through holistic training that includes positive decision making, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.

Competitive Platforms and Leagues

IMG Academy’s soccer program comprises teams ranging from U13 through U19 and post-graduate opportunities at the U18/U19 league level depending on a student-athlete’s age eligibility.

Girls' Soccer Leagues

IMG girls’ soccer competes in several leagues. The Development Player League (DPL) is a youth league created for high-level female soccer players across the United States. A new tier of competition developed by the DPL in April of 2020; this youth development platform was created for high level female soccer players in the United States. The Girls Academy embraces the desire of club members and GA players alike to maintain an unrivaled standard of excellence in coaching, competition, and regional and national showcase events throughout the year. Following the 2020-2021 season, the GA invited IMG Academy to be one of 14 elite clubs in the Champions League. Created in 2017, the Development Player League’s mission is to develop the player and empower the person in a purposeful and memorable environment. They believe that through superior experiences, players will be able to showcase their talent, discover collegiate opportunities, and create community around the game.

Read also: Explore Haas Hall Academy

Boys' Soccer Leagues

MLS NEXT provides the best player development experience in North America. The US Youth Soccer Sunshine Conference is one of thirteen conferences under the US Youth Soccer National League in the Multi-State Tier. The top teams in the Conference earn advancement to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The Sunshine Conference Academy Division is a club-based league that provides a highly competitive, stable, and consistent platform for teams in the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19 boys age groups.

Success Stories and Alumni

A substantial list of IMG alumni has played collegiately throughout the United States. In addition, many of the top players currently compete on NCAA nationally ranked teams. Over 100 girls soccer student-athletes have been placed in college over the last five years, including 65+ to Division I programs. The IMG Academy U19 team was named National Premier League National Champions in 2022 and in 2023, alumna Michelle Cooper claimed the highest draft pick in IMG Academy history with her second overall pick in the NWSL Draft . IMG Academy Soccer alumnus, Wilmer Cabrera Jr.

The academy has also produced notable players who have achieved success at the professional level such as Mallory Swanson, a forward for the USWNT. U-17 team, the runner-up at the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Tymrak has also represented the USWNT and was the 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Mallory Swanson is a forward for the USWNT. U-20 team from 2010-to 2012 and currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

IMG Academy Soccer Camps

IMG Academy soccer camps are designed to challenge every player, regardless of their skill level or position. Soccer camps also feature dedicated goalkeeper sessions, including technical training as well as tactical play situations. All Total Athlete and Game Changer programs include training specializations that can be changed for each week of the camp. Athletes seeking to hone their skills outside of sport-specific training will benefit from these unique training specializations. IMG Academy sport camps provide athletes with the platform to maximize potential, offering customizable programming options unique to one’s age, skill level, and athletic goals. With personal coaching and on-demand resources, IMG Academy+ allows you to access IMG Academy's world-renowned instruction and development from wherever you are.

IMG Academy soccer camps represent the nation’s best training and development camps. With expert instruction from top coaches and a proven methodology that has developed multiple MLS and countless D-I athletes, IMG Academy soccer camps are designed to sharpen every aspect of your game. Camps are for ages 10-18 with customizable programming and availability throughout the year to accommodate your schedule. As a global leader in athlete development, IMG Academy offers a soccer camp program designed to achieve your goals, including personalized coaching sessions or training specializations focused on topics such as mental performance and speed & agility.

Fall, holiday, and spring training camps combine small group training with core skills training to complement offseason training and schedule availability. Whether you’re aiming to compete in college, make your varsity team roster, or seeking to learn from coaches with MLS and professional experience, IMG Academy’s developmental soccer camps offer the ideal option for any youth player. Master the unique skills needed in small group situations on the field. Understand dynamics of play through buildups, changing point of attack, and team shape. Camp schedules may vary slightly by season, total participants, and availability. Campers receive their official schedule during camp check-in. All Total Athlete and Game Changer programs include training specializations that can be changed for each week of the camp. Athletes seeking to hone their skills outside of sport-specific training will benefit from these unique training specializations.

Additional Camp Features

Campers will have a daily ESL course with weekly themes such as Inspiring People, Extreme Sports, the Endangered Planet, or Entrepreneurs. Instructors focus on communication skills, vocabulary development, conversation, short videos, and grammar as well as test preparation. IMG Academy soccer camps are anchored by expert coaches with years of playing and coaching experience at the highest levels. To maximize the IMG Academy experience, we recommend that campers choose the boarding option and stay in a campus residence hall. Campers can make a roommate request, upgrade to a private room or get assigned a roommate. All campers also have the chance to unwind and hang out between camp programming sessions. The rec area between the residence halls includes a resort-style pool (with lifeguard), sand volleyball court, basketball courts, turf sport court, table tennis, and more. All boarding campers can access breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Servery, a buffet-style eatery. This summer, campers can experience the energy of the Cup right on campus. The health and safety of campers is our highest priority. Each residence hall has residential mentors, supervision and curfews to ensure campers feel safe and supported. We partner with the renowned Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) to deliver health services on campus. Also open 24/7, JHACH provides on-site nurses to address any health issue that arises. Your young athlete deserves the highest level of support and comfort during their camp experience. IMG Academy offers additional support and oversight for 8-9 year old campers at no additional cost for this very reason!

Testimonials

Many parents and campers have shared positive feedback regarding their experiences at IMG Academy soccer camps. One parent noted, "My son gained a deeper understanding of the game. He also interacted with players from all over the world, not just the US, giving him a better prospective of his athletic potential. He felt that the overall experience was so great that he requested to be a part of the school. We applied and he was accepted! Cannot say enough good things about the this camp. It's well-run, rigorous, fun, challenging and organized."

Another parent shared, "Sent my son away for the first time and was so impressed by the communication, enthusiasm and support from the entire soccer staff. Great training and experience this summer for my son, who is a rising Junior. He attended a 3 week Game Changer camp and boarded at IMG Academy this summer. Everything was professionally run, from sales, to checkin, to communication, to training and checkout. Camp Director, Coach George Sasvari, did a great job communicating to parents and players, and the coaches were top notch (special shout-out to Coach Marcelo Carrera). Facilities are simply amazing, from soccer fields (indoor and outdoor), weight room, the dorms, recreation areas, dining halls, etc., and the support staff was very helpful. Thanks also to Jacquline and Brooke for the sales/setup process. Made it easy to understand and select the right program for him. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience and soccer training for my son! Thank you IMG Academy Soccer!"

Further praise included comments such as, "Thank you so much for an outstanding week of soccer camp! My son had a great experience on and off the field - a balanced mix of intense training and downtime/fun with new friends. He’s very excited to bring his sharpened skills and work ethic back to his team at home. The post-camp IDP with targeted areas for improvement is particularly appreciated. Coach-Parent communication via app was effective and helpful during the week. Director George Sasvari and his soccer coaches did not disappoint!" and "My teenager hasn't ever been this happy after a soccer camp! We did one week of the soccer camp this year and next year we are going to do two weeks!! The feedback is firm but fair. It's nice to have a plan on how to improve once camp it over! Great job IMG Academy! Super complete camp! Great Campus!!!"

Campus and Facilities

IMG Academy is a beautiful campus located near downtown Bradenton and the Beach on Anna Maria island. The entire camp experience from booking to, check in, to the in camp experience, is professional, and streamlined. There is a hefty load of documentation required to get set up, but this only adds to the confidence that my student athletes are taken care of, and are secure on campus. The in camp experience provided great perspective, as well as lots of drills, and skills that my campers could bring home and use in their independent work.

College Placement and Recruiting

It’s critical for soccer student-athletes to feel confident and equipped to find the best college fit. IMG Academy is the world leader in sports education and the boarding school admits a limited amount of students annually from a large pool of qualified applicants, so we encourage interested student-athletes to submit an application as early as possible. Across IMG Academy’s available programs and services, our student-athletes fill approximately 25% of all college freshman roster spots annually.

IMG Academy’s recruiting service, NCSA College Recruiting, is the nation’s largest and most successful college athletic recruiting platform. With 78 percent of all college programs and 40,000 college coaches across 35 sports utilizing the platform, NCSA has helped more than 250,000 student-athletes find the right college fit to play at the next level.

A Brief History

Nick Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1978. Sports company IMG purchased the academy in 1987. IMG acquired the youth division of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in 1993 and added programs for soccer and baseball in 1994. IMG Academy currently sits on 450 acres (180 ha) of land, and in 2011, IMG paid $7.5 million for an additional 110 acres (45 ha) adjacent to the current campus for future expansion. In 2014, IMG purchased an additional 24 acres (9.7 ha). The IMG Pendleton School was founded in 1999 as a co-educational, college preparatory school for athletic students.

IMG Academy offered an academy soccer program and year-round soccer camps from 1999 to 2017. Soccer's full-time residency program for the United States' U-16 and U-17 men's national teams. It was integral in developing the United States' top youth soccer prospects. The Bradenton Academy grew from an initial twenty players to thirty in 2002 and then to forty in 2003. The program was split into a U-16 squad and a U-17 squad. Soccer could make the senior men's national team a legitimate threat to win the World Cup by the end of the decade. Two programs that were born from Project 2010 were Generation Adidas (previously called Project-40) and the Bradenton Academy. IMG Academy's postgraduate program played in their only appearance in the 2016 National Prep Championship in New Haven, Connecticut.

Other Sports Programs

IMG Academy has expanded its athletic offerings to include a variety of sports programs, in addition to soccer.

Football

IMG announced the John Madden Football Academy in March 2010 and held its first camp from June 4-6, 2010. The football program offers a residency program and year-round camps ranging from three days to five weeks in length and was previously led by former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke. The academy fielded a high school football team for the first time in 2013. In 2013, MaxPreps called IMG Academy the "nation's top high school football facility." Kevin Wright was named head coach in 2015 after Weinke accepted a position as quarterbacks coach with the then-St.

Basketball

Its basketball alumni include Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, the 6th overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft. In 2017, IMG Academy had its first two selections to the McDonald's All American Game: Trevon Duval was selected to the boys game and Rellah Boothe was selected to the girls game. During the preparation for the 2017 NBA draft, the IMG Academy hosted their first ever draft combine. The Professional Basketball Combine was held as an alternative (mainly for seniors) to measure their abilities and potentially give them the chance to enter the NBA, if not allow them the chance to play in the NBA G League or even overseas, with nearly every participant that year doing exactly that. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire WNBA 2020 season was held there.

Lacrosse

IMG Academy has an academy lacrosse program and year-round camps. IMG Academy launched a high school team in 2012, featuring a new women's program made in 2018. Notable alumni include Tehoka Nanticoke. Prior to that, IMG Academy hosted their first full-time lacrosse student-athlete, Matthew Xirinachs, starting in September 2010.

Volleyball

In 2022, IMG Academy hired two-time Olympian Donald Suxho as Director of Volleyball to launch its entry into girls' indoor volleyball beginning in fall of 2023. IMG Academy has announced the addition of its third new sport in 2025. IMG Academy has announced the start of its wrestling program.

Recent Developments

In April 2023, Endeavor announced the sale of IMG Academy to BPEA EQT for $1.26 billion.

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