Former Rebel expands horizons on and off pitch

As Lester Arthur continues his summer workouts in Minnesota, the aspiring professional soccer player continues to process the lessons he learned just weeks prior amid an opportunity to train in Spain through the International Development Academy.

Arthur graduated from Champlin Park High School last spring, concluding an impressive career with the varsity boys soccer team that included two consecutive appearances at the Section 5AAA championship game. Now a Rebels alum, Arthur is looking to write his next chapter.

The IDA is a wide-spanning organization that has sports camps around the globe, including a soccer program based in the Spanish city of Valencia. Participants in the program take part in training and live games, akin to the steps seen in many professional soccer academies around the world. For American players, it provides a unique opportunity to expand their horizons beyond the American soccer field.

IDA has a developing relationship with the Sports and Leadership Academy, founded by Cooper alumni Frankie Miamen and Gabriel Sekou Kromah Jr., which is based in the west metro. That connection helped Arthur take on this opportunity.

Arthur told the Sun Post that he learned about the opportunity through his connection to Sports and Leadership Academy.

“IDA and Sports and Leadership are connected so Frankie and Gabriel, who are good friends of mine, told me about the opportunity,” he said. “The idea of playing in Spain and getting my name out there was exciting, so we trained and then they sent me over there.”

Arthur has played with a range of the many soccer organizations that call the west metro home, including youth club play with Minnesota Eclipse and club play with the Minnesota TwinStars.

The former Rebel explained that the trip provided him with several days of hands-on experience playing against both Spanish and other foreign players at the IDA camp. He got a first-hand look at the Spanish style of soccer, well-known globally through the domestic league, La Liga, as well as the highly successful Spanish national teams.

“I was there for a week and a half. ... The football is kind of rough in Spain, but overall it was very fun. I really enjoyed it,” Arthur said. “It was my first time playing outside of the United States since coming here. I was there for the football, but I will say the city was really nice as well. It was great to walk around and see beautiful buildings and shops. It was a good journey and I’m glad I got to experience it. The coaches and their philosophy was different [from here]. The ball moves a lot quicker and things are more physical, but there’s also a lot of great technical players. I was surprised just how many people they had there that could just, control, pass, control, pass, keep the play moving. ... It showed me the type of level and development I need to get better and play at the highest level.”

Arthur now turns back to his journey here in the United States, one that he is committed to leading to a life in professional soccer. He told the Sun Post that one of his motivations is fulfilling the sacrifices and support those around him have provided.

“My sporting goals are no secret. I want to play at the highest levels. I want to play professionally. ... In order to do that, I know that I have to put in the work and develop myself each and every day,” he said. “At the end of the day, I know my goal and I’m not just doing it for me. I’m doing it for everyone in my life that supports me. It would be disrespectful to them if I didn’t get up every single day and do the work.”