During a recent ceremony, 31 youth players from Liga Deportiva Alajuelense graduated thanks to an educational partnership with Colegio Calasanz. The club requires its young athletes to balance their sports training with academic studies as part of their development.
Of the graduates, eleven completed high school this year, while two others will take national exams in February due to their participation in the U-17 World Cup. An additional four players are also set to complete their exams in February, and 20 received certificates for finishing ninth grade.
Fernando Mora, professor and coordinator at Colegio Calasanz, said: “This year we are very satisfied with the work done and the objectives achieved by the boys. The youth academy’s educational project has consolidated over these four years and the results of daily work are evident. We have high school graduates who have been with us since the start of the project, boys eager to succeed in their sports careers and focused on their personal development.”
Mora added: “Combining a sports career with academic demands in adolescents is a complex task that requires support from those around them, from conditions provided by the club and sports area, and daily work from educators. We wish these boys much success at university and as they establish themselves as footballers. We are very proud to see them debuting with the first team and graduating from secondary school.”
Joseph Joseph, president of Alajuelense, attended the graduation ceremony and presented diplomas to the students. He stated: “This is the fourth consecutive year where footballers graduate from our school. With those graduating in February it will be 15 in total, which makes us very happy. This is a very important step in these young people’s lives outside football—taking this step is significant for what CAR means to us.”
He continued: “The comprehensive training of all these young people is key to our project at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense; there’s a sporting motivation but also a desire to provide solid foundations for their future through education. Calasanz especially instills many values and accompanies us positively. Social impact is very important for us and the school is fundamental for giving more tools to our youth so they can reach wherever they want.”
Several current first-team players have previously benefited from this program at CAR, including Rashir Parkins (who graduated last year), Anthony Hernández, and Kenyel Michel.
