“It’s important to stay grateful for the opportunity we have, for the pitch we’re playing on, the boots we have on, and the people back home who are supporting us, who love us more than we’ll ever know.”
These are the words of University Degrees Abroad (UDA) Gloucester footballer, and University of Gloucestershire Media and Communications student, Biaya Kayembe.
UDA is a program which offers international (primarily U.S.) students the opportunity to play football abroad, whilst studying a degree, with the Gloucester sector allowing people to study at UOG.
The UDA’s partnership with Gloucester City, which allowed the students to represent the club’s reserves and development sides, was dissolved this season, with the UDA setting up their own team, playing in the Herefordshire League.
“When we all found out that UDA would be splitting from Gloucester (City), it was really nice to see that everyone shared the same thought, that we wanted to stick together.
“Gloucester City offered us contracts to stay and represent their reserve team, but we all wanted to stick with Ryan (Davies), because we believe in what he’s done for us so far, and what he’s going to do for us this year.”
Kayembe, and fellow UDA athlete Alexis Marquez, are both in their third-year with the UDA, and both reflected on what they want to achieve on and off the field, ahead of their final year of university.
When asked his aims for this season, “To score a goal,” Marquez said laughing. “In first year I scored three goals, but last year I didn’t manage a single one as I was playing deeper, and I was actually meant to do a forfeit for it at the end of the year, but nobody remembered because we were having so much fun after our (Hellenic League) Cup win.
“The biggest thing I want to get out of this year is knowing that I’ve pushed myself as hard as I can, and that I can leave with as much game experience which will help me with my professional career aspirations.”
For Kayembe, whilst he’s not sure if he’ll go down the professional football path, he’s certain that football will always play a part in his life.
“I want to make sure I leave here with no regrets, and the best way I can do that is staying intense on the field, whilst making sure I’m working hard off it, sending emails and using platforms like LinkedIn to promote myself, and to help me progress into the media industry.
“In terms of my football career, I need to speak to speak to my parents about that,” he laughed. “But personally, I think the game will never leave me, and whatever way I choose to pursue it is down to me.
“Whether that means I’m playing at 50-years-old, scoring in the Champions League, no matter what I’m always going to be competitive, and I just love to play football.”
