IFA First Year Player Talks First Week and First Impressions

IFA First Year, Kyle Lilley, speaks about his first impressions since joining the International Futsal Academy and how he feels the first week of training has been.

What made you want to join the International Futsal Academy and study at Loughborough and are you pleased with your decision?

I really wanted to join the IFA because I felt that it would help me develop technically and tactically in Futsal and help me develop as a player. I wanted to play at the highest standard possible with some of the best young players in England.

What is your previous experience of Futsal and how does the International Futsal Academy compare from what you have experienced so far?

I played for Sheffield United in the FLT Futsal league for 2 years. In comparison to my previous Futsal experience, the IFA definitely is a step up in terms of the sporting facilities available, training methods are a lot more complex which has increased the opportunity for development.
The IFA have some of the best coaches and staff and this is shown in the training and enhanced knowledge the coaches have, this is in huge contrast to my previous experiences I have had in Futsal.

Living in The Gables Student Accommodation based on campus with the rest of the first year students and some second years, what is the atmosphere like and how have the boys integrated?

The atmosphere is very good, the boys get along very well and have all bonded in a short space of time, living with together at the gables Accomodation is really enjoyable and is a positive atmosphere to be in.The boys have integrated very easily, a lot of the IFA lads are in the same block within the Accomodation and this had made getting to know everyone a lot easier. We also have had team building sessions in the first week to get to know everyone and become confident with each other, trust is a main factor we all have and is testament to everyone at the IFA how easy it was for all the first years to settle in.

What academic degree are you studying and what career do you hope that will take you into?

I am studying sports science, sports development and management, I hope that once I gain a BSc honours in sports science, I can then progress onto a PGCE to become a secondary school teacher.

What would be your advice to a student or player considering coming on the IFA from September 2016?

My advice would be that come September, make sure you work hard and train hard and you will achieve any aspirations you have in Futsal as the opportunities are endless.