Meet the Team
Carl Jauncey
Frank Arrowsmith
Joshua Smith
Director of Operations
Coaching experience 30+ years
UEFA & FA Youth Modules qualified football coach at IFA Sport.
I’ve spent many years coaching across a wide spectrum of youth sports; football, cycling, badminton to name a few, but my main coaching priority has always been football. Just like a football match, my coaching journey hasn’t taken many routes from Watford FC, USA, Luton Town FC, Stevenage Town FC, back to Watford FC before finally landing here in UAE.
Now firmly established at IFA Academy in Dubai it’s great to be in a position to implement and refine our belief that long term player development (LTPD) overrides any performance coaching that is focused on winning at all costs!
At IFA we believe that first, developing the individual, and then the team, is the gateway for our players to become excellent technicians, powerful athletes, but also brilliant decision makers and truly become the best that they can be!
My shared philosophy:
“The development of individual players has the priority over the result of matches when working with youth players.”
Rinus Michels
IFA Way
- Intelligent
- Fearless
- Adaptable
- Players
Head Coach Premier
Coaching experience 15+ years
UEFA FA qualified football coach at IFA Sport.
With an extensive tenure dedicated to coaching both horse racing and football, I have gained a wealth of experience over numerous years.
During my youth, I had the privilege of representing Liverpool school boys in football, showcasing my skills and commitment until the age of 14.
Subsequently, my professional journey commenced in the world of horse racing within the United Kingdom, where I attained considerable acclaim as a highly accomplished jockey and won the Ayr Gold Cup in 1992.
Building upon this achievement, I embarked on a new path as an educator, imparting my expertise and nurturing the talents of aspiring jockeys. It was during this phase that I received a remarkable opportunity to engage in horse racing and assume the role of a jockey coach in the United Arab Emirates, working alongside the esteemed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Fast forward 9 years, I joined IFA as an academy coach where I coached kids from the age of 4, some of which are still with me now in our Premier program.
I place great emphasis on character development and values such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. I instill these principals in my players teaching them essential life skills that extend far beyond the boundaries of the football pitch.
My achievements:
- Under 8 Premier Squad: League Champions
- Under 12 Premier Squad: League Champions
My motto:
It’s not about how good you are, it’s about how much you enjoy it.
Head Coach Premier
Coaching experience 13+ years
UEFA & FA qualified Coach at IFA Sport. Qualified High School PE Teacher.
I took my first steps into coaching in 2010, when I completed the FA Level 1 coaching course alongside my university studies. I quickly realised that coaching was something that I enjoyed and had a passion for, so I decided to finish playing and concentrate solely on coaching. My coaching journey started with a local college team, before I spent the next 8 years working at professional clubs in England; Scunthorpe United, Hull City & York City. Alongside my coaching roles in professional football I also worked, and qualified, as a High School PE teacher before I made the move across to the UAE in 2021.
At IFA, I have found an academy that shares my own philosophy of long term player development rather than win at all costs. I believe this approach gives our players the best chance of developing into well rounded, intelligent players that will enjoy playing football for years to come.
Milly Smith
Lead Football Coach
My coaching journey began at Woolton F.C. in Liverpool
My coaching journey began at Woolton F.C. in Liverpool, where I discovered my passion for coaching. However, I knew I wanted to combine this passion with my love for travel. This led me to Sri Lanka, where I coached at a football academy, working with players of all ages and contributing to the growth of both the girls’ and boys’ programs. Seeking new challenges, I ventured to Qatar, Muscat, and now Dubai, exploring the Middle East and working with different academies. The wealth of experience I have gained throughout my journey has been instrumental in my success as a coach and has had a significant personal growth. I am thrilled to embark on a new challenge at IFA, where I look forward to expanding my knowledge and further enhancing my coaching abilities.