By J.R. Breen
Contributing Writer
Two expatriates in Korea have begun holding teaser clinics for a soccer academy they plan to open this summer.
International Football Education Academy (IFEA) will be a year-round program with the goal of producing top-class soccer players. Free clinics began last weekend and continue throughout May, with classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
``We want to target the expat community,'' Phil Neiland, 28- year-old technical director of IFEA, said Monday. ``The goal of the (May free clinics) is to give the Seoul community the opportunity to see the professionalism of the IFEA brand and to experience first-hand the training environment that IFEA coaches create.''
The launch of IFEA is aimed to bring a full-time, professional youth soccer organization to Seoul, organizers said.
Although this month's clinics are aimed at 5- to 13-year-olds, the full academy will cater for the development of players from age 5-18.
The IFEA says they aim to provide players the opportunity to develop as athletes, students and as people it will strive to produce and prepare players to compete at the highest level throughout the world.
Neiland, who has lived in Korea for three years, has worked as an English teacher here and done part-time coaching.
``While I was teaching I saw football coaching as a way to further connect with the kids,'' he told The Korea Times.
Neiland grew up in Ireland, and into a soccer-playing family. His father established the Emerald Isle Soccer School, which Neiland has coached in, among other academies.
IFEA will start its summer camps in July and August when school term is over. The summer will see full-day and half-day camps which will run four days a week.
IFEA coaches include ex-professionals, semi-professionals and people who have played at American university standard, said Neiland, ``Every coach knows the game, they are handpicked.''
``I have had parents come to me saying that their kids play sports at school but afterwards they having nothing to do,'' he said.
Although Koreans and expats are welcome, the courses will be conducted in English.
``For Koreans, it will be like an immersion experience,'' Neiland said. ``Football is a global language, also they will learn the language (English) as they go along.''
IFEA employs unique coaching methods developed by themselves in their programs, such as ``Skillz'' where players learn a specific skill or technique to take-on opposing players.
``They will be taught how to do it, where to do it and why to do it,'' said Neiland, adding that they will be tested on this skill, and if they pass will progress to learn more difficult skills.
IFEA says it is not just a summer camp for something for children to do, but that, while it will be a fun environment, the goal is to produce quality football players.
The academy will organize regular in house games, as well as games against other teams around the country.
The free practices on Saturday are held at Ho Sung Middle School, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. this weekend and 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on March 28. Sundays are at Jamsil Olympic Park Velodrome, southern Seoul, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ifeasoccer.com