One of the new members of our performance faculty is actually a returner. Michael Koopowitz first arrived to Loughborough as a player of the Nike Academy, stayed as a Loughborough student, and played football and futsal for the University. He now comes back to work at the International Futsal Academy and Loughborough Futsal Club’s FA Futsal Super League team, and his work is already making a huge positive impact on our players’ experience.

Full name: Michael Ryan Koopowitz

Position: Performance Sport Science and Coaching Assistant

Place and date of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa. 03/06/1994

Favourite sport (besides futsal, of course): Cricket and Rugby

A quote: 

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

A song: Ordinary Love – U2

A movie: The Dark Knight

How did you first get involved in futsal: Initially I wanted more training and thought it would be of benefit to me to play futsal and see where it takes me. Mo Sharid eventually helped me join

Best futsal memory: Debut for Loughborough Futsal in the national league. Scoring two goals and an assist. Also being involved in the BUCS final.

Your futsal dream: To be involved in a professional or international setup and participate in an international tournament.

Loughborough Academy faced Tranmere Rovers in the opening match of the FA National League Two on Sunday at Loughborough University.

Despite an open first half with both teams creating chances and having even possession, Damon Shaw’s Tranmere Rovers went into the half time break with a 4-1 lead.

However Loughborough Academy, comprised of young players studying at Loughborough as part of the International Futsal Academy provided an outstanding performance in the second half with goals from Ben Amare (4), Liam Hulse (3), Ollie Burton (2) and Josh Novis (1)

Loughborough Academy Coach and IFA Development Manager Marc Forrest expressed his delight. “The players did brilliantly and deserve a lot of praise for both their application and performance during the game and the preparations beforehand. The squad today was made up of young English players all aged nineteen and under so it was a tremendous effort by all and valuable experience”

Loughborough Academy will next host neighbours Nottingham Futsal Club on 2nd October, 14:00 kick off at the Radmoor Centre, Loughborough College.

Canarian newspaper El Dia reported today both in their online and printed editions the imminent arrival to Loughborough of Head Coach Juanan Garcia. Juanan flies today to join the International Futsal Academy and lead the Loughborough Futsal Club Super League team. If your Spanish is up to scratch, you can read about it here

In a report published by The Independent, Loughborough University has been named the higher education institution that produced the most Olympic athletes at the Rio 2016 games. Loughborough, a constant in international sports competitions, was home for 10 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze Rio medal-winning athletes, and would have finished 17th in the overall medal table if it was a nation. You can read more about Loughborough in the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games here.

There’s a new session for 11-15 y/o players in our Leicestershire Academy centre at Brockington College. Please get in touch for more information!

One of the constants of the IFA in the last few years, Marc Forrest leads the Development group of the Academy and the National League 2 team, aiming to impulse our players to higher levels, whilst he continues his own development completing his degree in Sport Science and Coaching.

Full name: Marc David Forrest

Position: Development Manager

Place and date of birth: Oxford 17/10/1991

Favourite sport (besides futsal, of course): Athletics

A quote:

The Pessimist complains about the wind,
The Optimist expects it to change,
The Realist adjusts the sails

A song: Top Loader – Dancing in the Moonlight

A movie: The Dark Knight

How did you first get involved in futsal: Appointed by Idafe Perez Jimenez as fitness coach for Loughborough Futsal first team.

Best futsal memory: Reaching the 2013/2014 National Super League Grand Finals with Loughborough Futsal