COACH EDUCATION: Join us for the FA Futsal Level 1 Coaching Qualification held by the International Futsal Academy starting on the 29th February 2016 at Loughborough University.

Perfect for anyone looking to take their first steps into the world of Futsal, whether a player, referee, parent or an aspiring coach. The course will be delivered by Michael Skubala and provide the perfect environment to engage with one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

The aim of this course is to provide candidates with an understanding of the techniques and skills related to the game of Futsal. This course will help candidates organise and deliver basic Futsal practices. It will also provide candidates with an introduction to the structure of the game, the laws and the role Futsal can play in developing underlying techniques and skills.

For more information contact: [email protected]

International Futsal Academy Performance coaches visited Scunthorpe United FC to provide a coaching workshop to players and staff. Head of Coaching & Sport Science, Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno and Head of Development, Marc Forrest delivered a two hour session at their training venue.

The session was a FREE International Futsal Academy coaching sessions open to Football League Trust Clubs players and staff to support clubs and give an insight into the environment of the Leading Elite Futsal and Education Programme in the United Kingdom.

“The players thoroughly enjoyed the session today, it was delivered by two great coaches in Daniel and Marc. We really appreciated the visit, it was a great experience for the boys and they took a lot away from it”
Futsal Co-Ordinator for Scunthorpe United FC, Gavin Cooper.

If you would like to arrange a session similar to Scunthorpe United FC contact the IFA at [email protected] or [email protected]

At the weekend, IFA Loughborough Women’s team qualified for the next round of the FA Cup, continuing their strong performances from last year and finishing top of their qualifying group.

The IFA Women began with a 1-0 win against Just a Ball Game to begin the day on a high and start what was to be winning ways for the Loughborough based ladies. Following the initial win IFA Loughborough convincing beat Kettering 3-0 to firmly establish their intentions of qualification.

Following the first two matches, IFA Loughborough played Blast from the Past winning 4-2 allowing the team to look forward to the 23rd April at Birmingham Futsal Arena where the top eight teams in the country will compete in two groups to finish as a top two team and qualify for the finals at St George’s Park on the 4th June.

International Futsal Academy first year student Ryan Waring Mitchell discusses his first six months since moving to Loughborough including Futsal, degree education and general life at the IFA.

How has your first year been so far at the International Futsal Academy and how have you settled in?
I’ve settled in quite nicely, this year seems to have passed really quickly, it’s gone very well for me in terms of development – both on and off the court. It’s always better when you’re surrounded by a good set of lads, it makes the whole being away from home situation easier.

What made you want to join the International Futsal Academy, study at Loughborough?
The main thing for me is my development in futsal, I had quite a few choices to pick from but futsal is a sport I’ve grown to love so for me it was a very easy decision; I could play in a full-time academy with world-class facilities as well as get a degree so personally this was a no-brainer.

What is your previous experience of Futsal and how does the International Futsal Academy compare with what you have experienced previously?
I’ve been playing futsal for 3 years now, I came from Blackpool’s FLT programme and my knowledge of futsal was very basic so I went to train with Manchester futsal to increase the level of my game, I then got selected to represent the north-west in the regionals camps. The training here at IFA is a complete step-up from FLT, the intensity and ball work is next level. It’s also good that we train everyday in different sized courts because we can really focus on the attention to detail.

How do you feel you are developing and how is training going with the IFA and Loughborough United?
Personally I feel like I’ve improved massively since joining, I’ve had some bumps along the way but the training and support I’ve received has really helped me improve my game massively. I feel I have progressed both technically on the ball and tactically off the ball due to the high standard of coaching.

What academic degree are you studying and what career do you hope that will take you into?
I’m doing a degree in sports coaching with the aim of becoming a coach at academy level.

Wolverhampton Wanderers visited the International Futsal Academy based at Loughborough University with players provided with the opportunity to train during a two-hour Futsal session and enabled coaches to observe Head of Coaching & Sport Science, Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno and Head of Development, Marc Forrest, deliver a session on a topic of their choice.

In addition, players were provided with a tour of all facilities at the International Futsal Academy following the session to finish a day deemed hugely beneficial by Wolverhampton Wanderers;

“The day started with the players working with IFA coaching staff Marc and Daniel and they was given a real experience start to finish, with the coaches working with the players on rotational play and attacking combinations. As the session went on the players performance started to really improve, as a reward to the students was given an opportunity to play a SSG and showcase what they had learned with Marc and Daniel.

After the training session the students was given a tour of the fantastic facilities the IFA can offer and a real insight into what its like to be an IFA student. We were also very fortunate to catch up with England Senior Coach, Mike Skubala who gave the students some words of advice. I feel the day was very enjoyable but more importantly a real eye opener for the students. I would recommend this opportunity to other players, staff and clubs as the facilities and staff are at a very high standard.

Steve Cullis; Wolverhampton Wanderers Core Sport Team Leader

The session was the first of FREE International Futsal Academy coaching sessions open to Football League Trust Clubs players and staff whilst giving an insight into the environment of the Leading Elite Futsal and Education Programme in the United Kingdom.

If you would like to arrange a session similar to Wolverhampton Wanderers contact the IFA at [email protected] or [email protected]

International Futsal Academy Head of Coaching and Sport Science, Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno travelled with the World United Futsal Academy to the 4th Annual World Futsal Cup tournament held by USA Futsal taking place from December 27-31, 2015 in Blanes. The tournament followed a high quality and productive training camp at the FC Barcelona training facility ‘Joan Gamper’, alongside Technical Director of FC Barcelona, Andreu Plaza and USA Futsal National Coach, Vava Marques.

Berdejo-del-Fresno and Marques travelled with two teams, Infantil and Benjamin, comprised of talented young players from the World United Futsal Academy. Six players made up Benjamin providing an exciting challenge for both the team and Berdejo-del-Fresno in a tournament that boasted a high calbire of teams such as ElPozo, FC Barcelona and Corinthians.

The tournament began with Benjamin facing IE Malgrat in the first match; early on in the first half IE Malgrat took the advantage in the game taking a 4-1 lead. However Benjamin responded in a tremendous way and came back to level the score at 5-5 for the conclusion of the first half. In the second half, Benjamin went from strength to strength and eventually went on to win the match 5-10 providing a positive start to the World Futsal Cup Tournament.

The second match provided a differcult task for Benjamin against French side, Nantes and in a tighly fought contest with little to seperate both teams, Benjamin took a narrow victory winning the game 2-1 and earning them a place in the semi finals to face AE Babor, that Benjamin went on to convincing beat in a impressive 10-1 winning performance.

With the sound of beating drums and trumpets, over 300 spectators witnessed an exciting final and a great occassion for all involved. Following the half time interval with the score level at 1-1, Benjamin took the score to 6-1 with four minutes remaining. With fatigue and tiredness becoming evident from a hard fought tournament by the six players, IE Malgrat responded in a thrilling finale that saw Benjamin hold on to take a 6-5 victory.

Berdejo-del-Fresno said after, “It was a great experience for our players to play and watch the level of Futsal being played throughout the tournament. It was a pleasure to coach alongside Andreu (Plaza) at such an amazing facility in Barcelona and to now share this experience with Vava and the players of the World United Futsal Academy who deserve to enjoy this moment”.

Following the tournament, the players and staff were invited to watch FC Barcelona play Real Betis, providing a invaluable experience and memorable moment for the young players involved