In March 2017, the FCV International Football Academy announced they would be launching an Academy with leading coaching experts SRS Sports, based in Mumbai.
The new Academy will open in September 2017 in the Santacruz, Juhu and Versova area. It will be focused on developing the talents of Indian players of all abilities, from Under-12's to Under-21's, through an established coaching curriculum.
FCV appoint Tony Walmsley as head coach of International Football Academy in India
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FCV International Football Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Walmsley as the head coach of their new venture in India, which will launch in Mumbai at the end of September.
The Academy, operated in partnership with coaching experts SRS Sports, will focus on developing the talents of Indian players, from Under-12s to Under-21s, through an established coaching curriculum that utilises best international practices.
Born in Manchester, England, Walmsley has more than 25 years of experience in the football industry as a coach, specialising in the development of talent at youth level in Europe and Oceania. The holder of an Asian Football Confederation Pro-Diploma, he was most recently employed as the technical director and head coach of Hyundai A-League outfit, Central Coast Mariners.
After progressing through a variety of coaching roles in Australia, with organisations including Football Federation Tasmania, Football New South Wales and Manchester United's Oceania Academy, Walmsley was appointed to the role of head of youth development for Central Coast Mariners in 2007. He returned to England four years later to take up the position of head of academy recruitment for Sheffield United, before the Mariners lured him back to New South Wales in 2015.
On his appointment with FCV Academy, Walmsley said: "Football takes you to all sorts of places, and this opportunity has captured my imagination. It's an exciting project, and the potential is unlimited.
"Between myself and FCV, we're bringing a lot of expertise into the country — regarding academy infrastructure, coach education and elite coaching. We are looking forward to blending that with the local know-how and enthusiasm that exists to drive the programme forward and show players a path to progression in India."
SRS Sports director Amit Desai, said: "We are all looking forward to Tony's arrival. The aim is to ensure players gain a superior knowledge of the sport that will help take their game to the next level, so to have someone of his experience will ensure solid foundations are laid, and a structure is in place for years to come. It is going to put us in a strong position to lead on player development across Maharashtra, and beyond."
Initially, from a base in Santacruz, the coaching programme will operate six days a week, catering for the needs of both Development and Performance squads. Once established, advanced camps will be delivered across the region.
The Academy will open for assessment trials on Thursday 28th September 2017, and Walmsley will be joined for the four-day Big Kick-Off by another experienced coach — UEFA A licence holder and current Crystal Palace scout, Ian Sampson, who is FCV's international development coach.
Places can be reserved now for just 50 rupees. For further information and to book your place, please visit
www.internationalfootball.academy/in/