RIG Football Academy in Uppsala, Sweden, is home to 30 student-athletes who attend Celsiusskolan, where they follow a regular high school curriculum (known as gymnasium in Sweden).
The Swedish gymnasium spans three years, and RIG follows the same structure, with 10 students per year group. What sets RIG students apart is their unique schedule. In addition to standard academic courses, they train every morning from 07:30 to 09:30. Once a week, they also participate in a theory session covering topics such as nutrition, anatomy, strength & conditioning, and leadership.
As a government-funded elite academy, RIG adheres to strict criteria, including the development of top-level football players. To identify the most promising talents, an annual combine is held, where the top 24 applicants undergo a rigorous three-day selection process. This includes speed, agility, and strength tests, as well as interviews and group evaluations. The goal is to select the 10 players with the greatest potential to reach the national team and compete at the highest international level.
Academic success is equally important at RIG. Students must meet the requirements for post-gymnasium education, ensuring they are eligible for university studies. To support this, RIG coaches and teachers provide individual guidance, helping each student-athlete balance their academic and athletic development.
RIG players attend classes alongside peers in their chosen major—Economics, Social Science, or Natural Science. All standard subjects are taught by specialized teachers, while football-related training is led by RIG’s two full-time coaches, Robert Johansson and Andreas Ehrenreich. During the season and for position-specific training, additional expert coaches are brought in.
If you have any questions, please visit our Contact page to get in touch with us at RIG Academy.