After a short lived professional career, former Toronto FC defensive midfielder Richard Asante has made it his goal to educate the youth on the very game that has brought him much success.
As the first pick of the third round (27) by hometown team Toronto FC in the 2007 MLS Super Draft, Richard Asante, 28, had finally reached the pinnacle most amateur players fail to reach.
“This was what I worked for,” said Asante.
“I’ve been playing soccer basically all my life, and to have my name called by Toronto FC, where I grew up and played most of my soccer at was a dream come true.”
That dream he spoke of, quickly turned into a players worst nightmare.
On May 18, 2007, Asante mutually agreed with Toronto FC to release him from his contract, thus ending his professional career.
“Soccer is all business and politics,” he said. “I learned this early in my collegiate career playing at Syracuse University. There was a change in my contract which I felt wasn’t worth my time, so with my decision made, I was able to return to school and finish my studies.”

With a professional soccer career behind him, his vast knowledge of the sport, and having played at every competitive level imaginable, Richard Asante established the Asante Soccer Academy in 2010.
The non-profit organization is an innovative soccer program structured to developing, improving, and enhancing the skills and potentials of every young person.
“I felt it was important to start this academy because, I wanted to close the gap, between the kids that had the money to pay, to play for the big clubs and the kids that financially did not have the money to play, so therefore they were left behind,” said Asante.

“Our vision is to create an outstanding and positive environment where all players can apply their soccer skills and knowledge of the game as part of their daily lives.”

Apart from the soccer training provided to children ages 4-13, education is also a main focal point, says Richmond Baah, 23, vice president of the Asante Soccer Academy.
“How we differ from other academies is that we don’t just solely focus on soccer here,” said Baah.
“There is an education component to this academy. We drill it into the heads of all the children who are a part of this organization that education is important. We incorporate a lot of learning into the program all year around.”
The Asante Soccer Academy runs all throughout the year, with indoor season starting from October to April, then the outdoor season from May to September. It also offers March break and summer camps.
In the three years the organization has been operating, it has seen a steady rise in registration each year. The kids love it, the parents are grateful; some even taking time out to help out.