CEDA Academy

Springs. His vision is on the verge of becoming a reality. Born in Nigeria, Amobi came to the United States in 1983 and attended Shaw University in Raleigh. He graduated with a double major in Business Management and Public Administration. For the past number of years he has worked as a financial planner. But his true passion has always been soccer. Based in Holly Springs, CEDA Academy is a youth soccer academy for ages five-11 years old with clinics and individual training available for 12-16 years. The mission of CEDA Academy is to provide young players with the finest outdoor soccer training in the region. The CEDA Academy program is designed to develop each player’s technical ability while helping increase confidence on and off the field. CEDA’s focus is on four areas of development: technical ability, mental ability, physical ability and tactical ability. While researching training philosophies for CEDA Academy, Amobi discovered the training methods of Cor van Dijk. Cor, a native of Holland, has been working as a youth coach in different Dutch clubs (top amateur level and pro teams) for the past 26 years. After a year of corresponding back and forth, Cor and his wife Marijke, agreed to come to the United States and partner with Amobi in conducting a youth soccer camp employing the methods of training Cor has developed working with youth. The camp that ran from July 27 through August 7 at the Rex Soccer Fields in Holly Springs was a success with approximately 70 kids from the surrounding area attending. Amobi and Cor believe that this is just the first of many such camps and the beginning of both a long term personal and professional relationship. With the permits and final approval from the Town of Holly Springs planners and engineers, the new CEDA Academy Soccer Facility and fields are scheduled to open early 2010 near the Holly Springs High School off Rex Road. Amobi is very pleased and excited that all his hard work and vision is coming to fruition. Says Amobi, ”Working with young people and helping them develop skills to the best of his or her ability is not only a passion of mine but a calling.”