Independent Football Academy

13/08/2026

⚽ A place for players to progress

The Independent Football Academy provides ambitious young footballers with high-quality additional coaching designed around one thing: developing individual football ability

Our players train twice a week with experienced, qualified coaches, working on technical ability, ball mastery, decision-making and confidence in game situations

IFA players can continue to play for their grassroots clubs, while benefiting from extra coaching and opportunities to play against other academies and development centres in the UK

We are also proud to work in official partnership with Plymouth Argyle Academy, helping talented local players access further development opportunities

📩 Send us a DM
📱 Text Academy Manager Stuart on 07506481709

12/08/2026

During the summer holidays, we will be holding two Goalkeeper Development Days with qualified IFA goalkeeper coaches Jack and Tom.

📅 Wednesday 19 August 2026
📅 Tuesday 25 August 2026
📍 Saltmill Park, Saltash
⏰ 10:00am to 3:00pm
🧤 Open to goalkeepers of all abilities aged 6 to 16

The sessions will focus on key areas including handling, footwork, diving, shot stopping, positioning, distribution and decision making.

Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Cost:
£40 per goalkeeper, per day
£70 when booking both days

To register, please message Stuart on 07506 481709

Goalkeepers should bring gloves, suitable training kit, football boots, a packed lunch, plenty of fluids and waterproof clothing if required

04/08/2026

Blake White to Start Eight-Week Academy Trial with Plymouth Argyle

Everyone at the Independent Football Academy would like to wish Blake White every success as he begins an eight-week trial with Plymouth Argyle Academy.

Blake has been a member of the IFA for the past two and a half years and has developed tremendously during his time with us. Through the strong working relationship between the Independent Football Academy and Plymouth Argyle Academy, Blake was selected to attend a number of Emerging Talent Days, where he consistently impressed the academy staff with his performances, attitude and potential.

Having previously attended an Emerging Talent Day, Blake was invited back for a further assessment and has now earned the opportunity to join Plymouth Argyle Academy on an eight-week trial.

IFA Academy Manager Stuart Henderson said:

“Blake is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and a willingness to learn. He joined us as a very good grassroots player, but over the last two and a half years we’ve seen him develop technically, tactically and physically into a player who, in my opinion, is capable of competing at academy level.

His performances in both training and matches have consistently been of a very high standard, but what really stands out is his attitude. Blake rarely misses a session, always arrives with a positive mindset, prepares properly and gives everything in every exercise. He’s fully committed to improving and has a genuine love for the game.

He’s football-mad and sets a brilliant example for the other players. His professionalism, work ethic and enthusiasm raise standards around him, and he’s a very popular member of the academy with both the coaching staff and his teammates.

Blake also comes from a fantastic, supportive family who have played a huge part in his journey. His younger brother, Carter, also spent time with us before earning a place with Plymouth Argyle’s Under-8s, and it’s great to see both boys enjoying opportunities within the academy system.

A special mention must also go to Jordan Mason, who has been Blake’s lead coach at the Independent Football Academy over the last two years. Jordan has played a pivotal role in Blake’s development, dedicating countless hours to helping him improve technically, tactically and mentally. His hard work, commitment and attention to detail have undoubtedly helped prepare Blake for this opportunity.

I’d also like to recognise Blake’s grassroots club, Intercity, and all of the coaches who have supported him over the years. Player development is always a team effort, and everyone involved deserves credit for helping Blake reach this exciting stage of his journey.

We’re all incredibly proud of Blake and will be supporting him every step of the way. We wish him every success during his trial and hope he does himself justice. Hopefully, this will be another step towards earning a place in Plymouth Argyle’s Under-13s squad.”

Blake’s journey is another example of the pathway available through the Independent Football Academy. By combining high-quality coaching with regular fixtures against academy and elite-level opposition, alongside our close relationship with Plymouth Argyle Academy, we aim to provide talented young players with opportunities to showcase their ability in a professional environment.

Congratulations once again, Blake. Everyone at the Independent Football Academy is right behind you. Enjoy every minute of the experience, continue working hard, and make the most of this fantastic opportunity. We look forward to following your progress over the coming weeks.

03/08/2026

Throwback to October... what a tour this group had ⚽💙

Across three action-packed days, our U9s, U12s and U15s faced strong opposition including Macclesfield FC, Crewe Alexandra, The New Saints, North West Academy, Saughall Colts and Llandudno FC Academy

Five games. Five wins.

But the biggest positive was the way the players worked for one another. They created chances, defended together, supported each other and played like a proper team from start to finish

Our tours give players the chance to experience new environments, face top academy opposition and put everything they have worked on in training into practice

A brilliant experience for the players, coaches and families involved

To learn more about joining the IFA:
📩 DM us
📱Text Stuart on 07506481709

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

Former IFA Player James Sharpe Makes First-Team Debut for Plymouth Argyle

Everyone at the Independent Football Academy would like to pass on our huge congratulations to former IFA player James Sharpe on making his first-team debut for Plymouth Argyle in their pre-season fixture against Torquay United at Plainmoor.

James was a valued member of the IFA from the Under-8s through to the Under-11s, where he represented the academy in numerous fixtures, tournaments, festivals and national tours before progressing to Plymouth Schoolboys and then into Plymouth Argyle’s Academy.

During his time with us, James was a fantastic young player to work with. He was full of enthusiasm, possessed excellent physical attributes, and had a real passion, determination and aggression for the game. He always had an eye for goal, and it has been fantastic to watch his continued development since joining Plymouth Argyle’s Academy, where he has continued to score goals consistently throughout his academy journey.

James has also been recognised internationally with a call-up to the Malta national youth set-up, and after beginning his scholarship with Plymouth Argyle, he has now reached another significant milestone by making his first-team debut during pre-season.

Having spent four years with the Independent Football Academy, we are immensely proud to have played an important role in James’s early football development. Watching him grow from a talented young player into someone now stepping onto the pitch for Plymouth Argyle’s first team is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved with the academy. We will all be following his progress closely and wish him every success for the future. We hope this is the first of many first-team appearances and that James goes on to enjoy a long and successful professional career.

During his years at the IFA, James represented the academy against some of the country’s top opposition. He played against clubs including Manchester City, Leeds United, Hull City, Bradford City, Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers, as well as a number of highly respected private academies. He also travelled on tours with us to Leeds, York, Manchester and the North West, gaining valuable experience by competing against different styles of football and high-quality opposition.

At the Independent Football Academy, our aim is to replicate the academy environment within a private coaching setting. Players train twice a week alongside their grassroots football, while benefiting from opportunities to test themselves against strong opposition from across the country. We firmly believe these experiences play an important role in developing confident, resilient and well-rounded footballers.

Please enjoy some photographs of James from his IFA days, including memorable occasions representing the academy against Manchester City.

Congratulations once again, James. Everyone at the Independent Football Academy is immensely proud of your achievement and wishes you every success for the future. Keep working hard we’re all behind you.

01/08/2026

Monday: develop the technique
Friday: put it into the game ⚽

Our Monday sessions focus heavily on technical development and ball mastery

Our Friday sessions use game-related practices, giving players opportunities to apply those skills under pressure, often in games against other academies

Two connected sessions. One clear development plan

Interested? Send us a DM or text 07506 481709

31/07/2026

At the IFA, development is not measured by scoreline

We are not building a team to win a league. We are helping individual players become more technically confident, creative and effective

That means focusing on areas such as:
⚽ Ball mastery
⚽ One-versus-one situations
⚽ Receiving and retaining possession
⚽ Decision-making
⚽ Confidence on the ball
⚽ Applying techniques under pressure

We play games against other academies and development centres, but the result is never the priority. The game is an opportunity for players to demonstrate what they have learned

Individual development comes first

📩 DM us to learn more about joining the IFA
📱 Text Stuart on 07506481709

30/07/2026

Keep playing for your grassroots club. Keep developing with the IFA ⚽

Our academy works alongside grassroots football, giving ambitious players additional coaching without asking them to leave their local team

We focus on individual player development, with technical training on a Monday and game-based training on a Friday which often includes a match against another academy