Interview with the CEO

In fact, the idea arose a long time ago: it happened that when we opened the International Youth Union, I was still a student at the Higher School of Economics in Prague, and on the basis of this university we opened the MSM together with the students with whom we studied together. The idea of opening the MSM Football Academy came a little later, when we realized that there was a demand not only for children who wanted to study in higher education institutions in the Czech Republic, but also to play football, especially professional football. In addition, a 17-18 year old regular school graduate has many admission opportunities. But if a child played football from childhood and his parents believed that he would become a professional football player, there would be much fewer of them. The number of teams and places in them is limited. Every year, out of 25 students at an abstract football academy in the CIS, only 2-3 football players make it to the team. For others, the pressing question is: where to go next? It is also relevant for children from small cities and urban towns. For these cases, the MSM Football Academy was created. You can continue studying in the Czech Republic without stopping playing professional football. This will give you a chance to realize yourself and get into one of the European teams or become a good coach.

The first guys arrived in 2010. We wanted to see how the football camp would work. In the first year around 20 people came and this number grew every year. Since 2013, we have not only opened a summer camp, but also started training children in the Annual and Semi-Annual Football Academy.

When the Academy opened in 2010, no one took us seriously. But every year more and more clubs and teams learned about us, and the fame spread throughout the Czech Republic. We now have a full-fledged football club registered in the Czech Republic.

We accept children aged 14 and over at the summer camp and aged 17 and over at the Football Academy. At this age they finish high school in their home countries.

Yes. You can come with or without a trainer, then our trainer will train you.

We started with the countries of the former CIS, now they represent 60-65% of our customers. But the guys come from all over the world: from Asia, from North America, from Western Europe.

When they come for the summer or a year , in addition to the football camp, the boys receive an extensive cultural and entertainment program, and can also choose a language to study and study with our teachers; They train every day from 8am to 10pm, a busy schedule. On weekends they travel to different cities in Europe, frequently participating in tournaments and friendlies. The guys get their uniforms. If they come for a year, they will study regularly.

For 7 years, our main sponsor has been Nike.

We recently started issuing this grant. It happens that a child has a difficult economic situation in the family, but he is very talented. If our coaches choose you from 3-4 kids who are physically and mentally prepared to play professional football, we will award a scholarship for free education and training after high school graduation.

In the summer there is an extensive training and education program. From 10am to 12pm football, then lunch, then cultural program and study, dinner and lights out. The guys who came for a year train from Monday to Friday. They have many tournaments and friendlies. The football program is built like a Major League club. At the same time, they study Czech or English to enter university. On average, studying takes 5 hours. The cultural program usually takes place on the weekend. During summer and annual programs, children live in state-run university dormitories in the Czech Republic . We also have our own residence, where our pupils also live. We try to accommodate children so they can interact with local people and practice Czech. All buildings are at the level of a 3 to 4 star hotel. There are 3-4 students in a class. Around there is all the necessary infrastructure to live within the framework of long and short-term programs.

The training is very intense, 5 times a week. Our guys train in conditions that are no worse or even better than the conditions of Czech professional teams. Particular attention is paid to physical, technical and tactical preparation. Training includes theory and practice. From 10 to 12 years old, students warm up and undergo theoretical and practical training.

At the moment there are two teams: A and B. The first could soon enter the Prague Higher League and qualify for the state championships. The second team is now in the Third League, but we aim to reach the Second, then the First, and so on. Next year, 3 teams are planned.

There are around 40 official games, in addition to around 20 friendly matches. And 10-15 tournaments. For Team A, that’s 60-70 games a year.

Player registration in the Czech Republic begins at age 18 and is only available to children who have a visa. If the child is younger, he trains fully, but officially starts playing as an adult. As soon as you turn 18, we will submit an application to the Czech Football Association. Your review takes a maximum of 30 days. Registration costs 3 thousand CZK. This amount is paid by the player himself.

To obtain a visa you need reasons. We take on the responsibility of inviting students to study at the Academy, and parents do not need to worry about whether the visa will be issued or not. The question is resolved automatically, as the football player actually comes to study at a Czech university.

Yes, but there are a series of difficulties that make direct communication with the club difficult. It is preferable to communicate in Czech; you must come and demonstrate the skills of a football player. Not all football clubs offer accommodation. You must also obtain a visa.

Our coaches are Czech, but there are also Russian speakers. They work in parallel with serious Czech teams. At the same time, they are our scouts and recommend guys to teams.

Yes. We work because they feel comfortable working with us: the guys’ visa issue has been resolved, they play football at a serious level. They usually come to our games. The problem is that they want to take our players from team A and we can’t give them away.

The main teams are Sparta Prague, Bohemis Prague, Mlada Boleslav, Slovan Liberec. This is about the Major League. From the First League this is Victoria Zizkov, there are many teams in the Second and Third Leagues that can take our players. We constantly play friendlies with them.

In the Czech leagues, players are paid less than in Germany. But on average the salary is 500-600 euros per month. If you are a Primeira Liga player, you receive 700-800 euros or more. In the Major League of 1.5 thousand. Players also receive bonuses.

There are 5 complete intensive training sessions per week. Games usually take place on weekends and academy players can participate in tournaments.

Problems may arise throughout the year. Most of the time, there are those who focus on football, and there are those who separate from their parents and start to lead a more independent lifestyle. We try to keep an eye on these and keep them under control. Because there are guys with great potential who may lack self-discipline. Our management and coaches are very strict. We will help you resolve any issues related to study, accommodation, medical care if they arise.

If they don’t make the team, we still make sure the kids get into a local university. Our program is unique because we look at each student from more than just a football perspective. If they have to finish sports, they will have the opportunity to study in the Czech Republic, receive higher education and then find a good job in their specialty in Europe.

Yes. They can study in English and Czech.

Studying in Czech at universities in the Czech Republic is free. The price for English training is symbolic. The cost of living in the future will depend on the type of hostel and living conditions. You can rent an apartment or live in a hostel. The cost of living in a hostel varies between 150 euros/month, renting an apartment starts at 600 euros/month.

Big plans. The Academy has been developing by leaps and bounds over the last two years. We plan to ensure that teams move up a league each year. We want all our guys who come for a year to sign contracts with professional clubs. And we intend to grow every year, getting closer to the First and Second Leagues of the Czech Republic.

I advise parents who plan to send their children abroad not to send them on a free trip. This is a transitional age that, even if they play football brilliantly and have a good attitude towards studies, they still need control and support. Let’s say you used to give your child pocket money. And after moving to the Czech Republic, they stopped helping financially. In this case, he may not have enough money for basic needs: food and accommodation, not to mention entertainment. It is possible to combine part-time work and study in the Czech Republic, but it is quite difficult and, in addition, football is added here. Sooner or later, this will affect academic or sports performance. Therefore, 400-500 euros per month is the help that children need in the early years. I would like to wish children not to despair. If it didn’t work at his home football club, it could work in the Czech Republic. The main thing is the desire to become a professional football player. And we, for our part, will help children and parents make their dreams come true!