International Futsal Academy Head of Coaching & Sport Science and England Futsal Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach, Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno travelled to Barcelona to coach twenty one players from the World United Futsal Academy joining FC Barcelona Coach and Academy Director, Andreu Plaza and USA Futsal Senior National Team Coach, Vava Marques from December 21-23.

A highly respected coach both nationally and internationally having coached at a number of the best Futsal clubs in England including Manchester Futsal, Sheffield Futsal and Loughborough Futsal; in addition to over fifty international fixtures with the England National Team coaching staff. Berdejo-del-Fresno, assisted in preparations for a tournament due to take place later in December with training sessions taking place at the FC Barcelona Training Facility “Joan Gamper”. Two teams will enter The 4th Annual World Futsal Cup tournament taking place from December 27-31, 2015 in Blanes, Spain.

Marques has been the Assistant Coach of the United States Futsal National Team for the past fifteen years and previously coached alongside Berdejo-del-Fresno, most recently with Team PFL at the Professional Futsal League SupaCopa 2015 held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Andreu Plaza is the current coach of the Barcelona “B” Team and architect of the FC Barcelona Youth Academy, widely known to be the best youth futsal academy in the world.

The country’s only programme for one of the UK and the World’s fastest-growing sports has been highlighted at Loughborough College by Touchline TV.

The International Futsal Academy is based at the College and attracts students from around the world to play the UEFA and FIFA officially- recognized game which many top professional footballers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pele, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta, benefited from in their youth.

Academy Director Michael Skubala talks about the full-time training alongside Further and Higher Education study offered by the pioneering programme at Loughborough College – as well as the massive growth in the game in this country.

https://www.loucoll.ac.uk/news/sport-film-highlights-unique-international-futsal-academy-loughborough-college

International Futsal Academy Enrolment for September 2016 is now open.

International Futsal Academy player, Joe Kenny made his debut and earned his first two caps for the England Senior squad against Poland in the double-header at St George’s Park at the weekend.

Previously at Leeds United, Joe is currently in his second year of the International Futsal Academy studying Sports Coaching at Loughborough, whilst training full time and representing Loughborough Futsal Club in the FA National Futsal Super League North Division.

As a member of the England U23 Development Squad, Joe featured in the match against Birmingham United on Saturday before being included for the England Futsal Senior Squad by England Head Coach, Pete Sturgess, playing well in both international fixtures against the team ranked 36th in the Futsal World Rankings.

How has the start of your first year at the International futsal academy been and how have you settled in?
Personally the start of the year has been very good, I feel that I’ve improved a lot in a short space of time and I think that is mainly down to working hard in training every day and having the players and coaches around me that keep pushing me to go further. I feel that I’ve settled in well mainly because I’m living with my team mates, which straight away makes you feel more comfortable and relaxed about the whole situation of living away from home for the first time.

What made you want to join the International Futsal Academy, study at Loughborough and are you pleased with your decision?
The reason for joining the International futsal academy is because I’ve fallen in love with the sport since first playing it with Brighton & Hove Albion through the Football League Trust. I wanted to keep playing futsal and reach my full potential and I thought the IFA was the best decision to achieve that because of the coaches and players here. Studying at Loughborough is very good especially if you love sport like me because the facilities are amazing and that’s the main reason why Loughborough interested me so much. I’m really happy with the decision I have made. No regrets on joining the International Futsal Academy.

What is your previous experience of futsal and how does the International futsal Academy compare from what you have experienced so far?
I first started playing futsal in 2013 for Brighton & Hove Albion and was also fortunate enough to attend the England Futsal Centre of excellence training camps. The International Futsal academy is a massive step up from the FLT league and I have found playing in national league challenging but I’m very confident that collectively and personally we can do well this season.

How do you feel you are developing and how is training going with the IFA and Loughborough United?
I feel that I’ve developed a lot since being here mainly because the standard and work rate is always high in training. Training is going really well personally and as a team we are constantly learning and trying new things which I really like.

What academic degree are you studying and what career do you hope that will take you into?
I’m currently studying Business & Management and I’m hoping this can lead to a job opportunity in the football industry because it’s something I’m passionate about and football as a business is massive all over the world.

What would be your advice to a student or player considering coming on the IFA from September 2016?
I strongly recommend joining the IFA because you don’t just develop as a futsal player but from what I’ve found so far it makes you become a better person just because of the enviourment you are in every day.

England Futsal return from their double-header fixtures away to Estonia ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers in Israel.

England began with a 3-3 draw in their first match and will feel disappointed not to have secured all three points in a performance that saw them lead twice and narrowly conceded in the closing stages. International Futsal Academy graduate, James Webb scored his first goal for England with Richard Ward scoring the remaining two goals.

In the second fixture, England earned a 2-0 win with Raoni Medina scoring his first two goals for the Three Lions. Former IFA Goalkeeper, Tom Dennis made his debut for England earning his first cap.

Former International Futsal Academy players, James Webb and Russell Goldstein performed well with Mark Croft also included in the squad for the trip to Tallinn. The squad now prepare before flying out to Israel.

The England Futsal Team head to Tallinn next week to play two friendly fixtures against Estonia in the Lions final preparations for the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers in Israel in two weeks time

Current International Futsal Academy Goalkeeper, Mark Croft, has earned his first senior call up for the fixture along with former International Futsal Academy Goalkeeper, Tom Dennis, who will also be hoping to earn his first cap for England. 2014 Graduates James Webb and Russell Goldstein are also included in the 14-man squad.

England who are currently ranked 58th in the world will be favourites going into these two friendly matches against an Estonian side who are 35 places below England. However, the Lions will not be complacent as they look to fine-tune their performances ahead of a tough test in Israel as England battle to qualify for the Main Round of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

England will play Estonia in Tallinn on the 16th October (kick-off = 6pm, GMT) and 17th October (5pm, GMT). The full England squad is:

1.Jordan Parker
2.Mark Croft
3.Tom Dennis
4.Doug Reed
5.Ian Parkes
6.Agon Rexha
7.James Webb
8.Will Rooke
9.Luke Ballinger
10.Richard Ward
11.Robbie Bettson
12.Arthur Rogers
13.Russell Goldstein
14.Raoni Medina