Inside Look: The Business of an African Football Academy | Jon Boafo

Welcome to Episode 25 of the Because Football Podcast! Our guest is Jon Boafo, an Abidjan-based director of the Ivoire Academie, a top youth football organization in the Cote d'Ivoire. A Ghanaian by birth, Jon grew up in France and then moved to the States to study at the University of Georgia. Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to be either a football agent or investment banker, and after a few years in the corporate world (and after participating at a an elite global level as a rower!), he made his first foray into the football industry. He got his start as a Head of Operations at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, one of Africa's most renowned football academies, boasting dozens of professional and NCAA athletes in both men's and women's football. His role there touched on all aspects of making the academy flow smoothly, even down to the management of the kitchen staff and the nutritional options for the players, something he touches on in this episode. From there, Jon moved to the Cote d'Ivoire and found his way to the Ivoire Academie, an organization that boasts former Arsenal and Roma star Gervinho as its most famous pupil. From its high quality facilities to its educational offerings and barefoot training methodology (inspired by the JMG Academy, also of Cote d'Ivoire), Jon gives us a backstage look into academy's values and goals. He also sheds light on how deals get done - how talented future stars garner attention from European clubs - and the interplay between scouts, agents, club officials. He explains the paradoxical dream and curse this offers to players, particularly because the opportunity to succeed as a footballer can be life-changing, but family pressure can sometimes see players make career moves that don't serve their long-term benefit. It's a complex situation, and Jon lends his fascinating insight to enlighten us. We thank Jon for his time and sharing his knowledge with us! Be sure to follow Jon Boafo here: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jonboafo Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonboafo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonboafo/Connect with Jon on LinkedIn Follow Ivoire Academie: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ivoireacademiefc Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvoireAcademie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivoire_academie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-ivoire-acad%C3%A9mie/ Find out more about Because Football: LinkedIn Instagram For more about our Transform Soccer training programs in the USA: Website Instagram