AFA Marbella has been established now for 12 years. It is the largest and most succesful International Football Academy in southern Spain. AFA is working hard to be more prominent in the community and offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy their football, enjoy some success and learn about team work, individual expression and sportsmanship.
We take players from 6 - 19 years old and are looking for more girls to join our teams.
Originally started as an Alan Ball Soccer School, AFA has been through many changes over the last few seasons. AFA used to stand for Aloha Football Academy, and was founded by then teacher Mike Kirkland an was run from Aloha College after school.
Since then Mike has persued a career in professional football and his hard work was rewarded when he was appointed as Under 19's coach for Hibernian FC in the Scottish Premier League along with his long time friend John Collins who was installed as Head Coach.
AFA was created to give non spanish players the opportunity to play football competitively here in Spain. AFA are part of local Marbella Club Pablo Picasso.
The playing and training facilities are just across the road from La Canada and attract players from as far as Sotogrande and Torremolinos.
All coaches at AFA are fully UEFA qualified and experienced. They all know how to get the best out of their players. Players are encouraged to express their individual flair and ability, but also given basic grounding in team work, sportsmanship and a winning mentality.
Since Mike Kirklands' departure, AFA has been taken over by Craig Mander, and has been restructured. It is the hope in the coming seasons that we will apply for the FA Charter Standard, and adhere to legistlation laid down in the Grass Roots plan in 2008 by the English FA.
To this end AFA this season have appointed a new Coaching Director in Jeff Wood, who is in charge of coaching at the Gibraltar FA, and as a former manager of Brighton in the UK he will bring a wealth of talent, knowledge and experience to our team.
As part of the FA directive, AFA has also appointed a Child Protection Office (CPO). Dave Falconer who joined AFA last season from Scotland will fill this role.
Due to some hard work over the summer, AFA is also now working with both Peterboro United FC and Fulham in the UK to provide trials for players. In turn Fulham will be visiting us here in Marbella to give advice and look at some players to see if we can uncover the next premier league starlet.
AFA also strongly support education, and are speaking with a number of local education authorities with a view to offering soccer courses to people who have just completed their A Levels. We are working with Myerscough College in the UK to provide this and will keep you all posted as the season progresses. AFA coaches also regularly run coaching sessions at the EIC and St. Anthonys International Schools and Les Roches Hospitality University in Marbella.
AFA now has over 120 players and are looking to expand into new facilities during the 08/09 season.
www.afamarbella.com