Ball Mastery
More touches, cleaner technique, and comfort with the ball.
Helping Players Reach Their Next Level Since 2021
Development First.
Train the South American Way.
What is SAFA?
More Than a Soccer Academy.
At SAFA we do not measure success by trophies. We measure success by how much each player improves.
Our South American methodology helps players become more technical, more creative, more physical, more confident, and smarter on the field.
Development FirstTrain the South American WaySmall Groups Every SessionHelping Players Reach Their Next Level Since 2021
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South American Philosophy
Player development comes before results.
Through our South American training methodology, every player builds the technical, physical, mental, and creative foundation needed to grow.
Decision Making
Game-like situations that help players think faster.
Confidence
Positive challenge, feedback, and repetition.
Creativity
Freedom to solve problems with imagination.
Motor Skills
Coordination, agility, balance, and movement habits.
Love for the Game
A joyful environment that keeps players motivated.
Freedom with the Ball
Players learn to express themselves with control.
Challenging Environment
Small groups, intensity, and individual attention.
Core Values
PROGRAMS
SAFA Programs
Year-round small group training designed to improve every player's technical skills, confidence, and game intelligence.
Ages 9-14 · 12 players max
La Escuelita
The perfect first step into soccer for boys and girls who are new to the game and have little or no technical or motor skill foundation. Players build coordination, ball familiarity, confidence, and the fundamentals needed for the future.
Ages 5-9 · 12 players max
Futbol Base
A structured training program for young competitive players who already have a basic technical and motor skill foundation and are ready to refine skills, improve coordination, build confidence, and prepare for the next level.
Ages 10-14 · 12 players max
La Cantera
SAFA's highest-level development program for ambitious players. Sessions focus on advanced technical, physical, tactical, and decision-making skills for players who dream of reaching the next level.
School breaks · 30 players max per week
Soccer Camps
Fun and educational soccer camps where players develop their skills, compete, and enjoy the game in a positive environment during summer, spring break, school breaks, and winter break.
Colombia · Brazil · Argentina · Chile
South America Experience
An international soccer experience where players train, compete, and immerse themselves in the South American style of soccer while experiencing a new culture.
Coming soon · Ages 9-14
Futsal Program
Where development meets competition. A faster environment for academy players to apply technique, decision-making, confidence, and game intelligence through futsal.
A Group Training Environment Designed for Every Player
The right environment for each stage of development.
At SAFA, all of our programs are conducted in small groups with a limited number of players per session. This allows our coaches to provide more individualized instruction, meaningful feedback, and greater attention to every player's development.
Whether your child is taking their first steps in soccer or already competing at a high level, our coaching staff will evaluate their current ability and recommend the program and training group that best fits their age, experience, and stage of development.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Brasil Experience - July 2027
An international soccer experience for SAFA players.
- Age groups: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.
- Destination: Brasil.
- Focus: training, competition, culture, and player development.
Parent Guidance
Player development is a team effort.
SAFA maintains consistent communication with families through email and WhatsApp groups, sharing valuable information that every soccer parent should know.
Our goal is to help parents better understand the player development process and provide guidance that allows them to support their favorite player in the best possible way, both on and off the field.
Why Families Choose SAFA?
Development-first results families can feel.
Meet Our Coaches
Experienced coaches with a complete development vision.
At SAFA, our coaching staff brings valuable experience both on and off the field. Our coaches have backgrounds as former players and youth development coaches, giving them a well-rounded understanding of how to teach, motivate, and develop young athletes.
Our mission is not to replace the current system. It is to complement it by providing an environment where players receive more individual attention, more meaningful repetitions, and a development-first approach that helps them grow both as players and as people.
FS
Felipe Saavedra
Founder & Director of SAFA Academies in South America
SAFA Coaching StaffCD
Coach Diego Mantilla
Director of Coaching
SAFA Coaching StaffCD
Coach Diego Rincon
Technical Director
SAFA Coaching StaffCK
Coach Kenny Valderrama
Head Coach
SAFA Coaching StaffMS
Mateo Stacey
Head Coach
SAFA Coaching StaffTRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Your development. Your numbers. Your game.
Personalized Training Plans
Programs designed around technical skills, physical conditioning, game intelligence, and each athlete's goals.
Professional Coaching Feedback
Coaches use observation, drills, and direct correction to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Performance Tracking
Improvement should be visible through feedback, training reports, consistency, and confidence.
Achieve Your Next Level
Whether the goal is a travel team or becoming a smarter player, SAFA guides the journey step by step.
GALLERY
Groups Trainings · Camps · International Travel
Parents Reviews
Five-star family testimonials.
What families mention most on Google: strong coaching, player confidence, small-group attention, and a positive development environment.
VIEW GOOGLE REVIEWSPositive Coaching Environment
Families highlight the encouraging training environment, the energy of the coaching staff, and the way players feel motivated to keep improving.
Google ReviewsPlayer Confidence
Parents consistently value how SAFA helps players become more confident, more comfortable with the ball, and more prepared for game situations.
Google ReviewsSmall-Group Development
Google reviews point to the quality of attention players receive through small groups, clear correction, and development-focused sessions.
Google ReviewsSouth American Methodology
Families connect with SAFA's technical, creative, and passionate South American approach to player development.
Google ReviewsGrowth for Every Level
The academy is recognized for helping players at different stages, from building fundamentals to preparing for stronger competitive environments.
Google ReviewsFamily Community
Reviews also reflect the trust families place in SAFA as a soccer community where players are supported on and off the field.
Google ReviewsMemberships
SAFA Experience Programs
GT Experience
Training groups designed for players who want to elevate their game in a South American methodology environment with motor skills, technique, and game situations in reduced spaces.
Travel Experience
Trips to South America allow players to experience firsthand what it is like to play and train in a culture where futbol is lived with passion.
Camps Experience
Development-focused camps during school breaks and vacations, built around quality training and a positive competitive environment.
Premium Membership
1 session per week, 4 sessions per month.
Gold Membership
2 sessions per week, 8 sessions per month.
Platinum Membership
3 sessions per week, 12 sessions per month.
Family Package Membership
Discount for families with more than one player training with SAFA.
No contract. Memberships do not roll over to the following month.
Our Story
Development First. Players Always.
SAFA (South American Futbol Academy) was founded with one simple mission: to help players reach their full potential through quality training and a genuine passion for the game.
Inspired by the South American style of soccer, SAFA was created to provide players with an environment where technical development, creativity, confidence, and decision-making come before results.
Today, SAFA is more than a soccer academy. It is a community of players, families, and coaches who share the same belief: every player deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy the game.
Mission
Develop confident, creative, technically skilled players.
To inspire and develop confident, creative, and technically skilled soccer players through the South American training methodology, providing a positive environment where every player can reach their full potential on and off the field.
We are also committed to educating and supporting families by helping them understand the player development process and make informed decisions throughout their child's soccer journey.
Vision
Lead player development in Tampa Bay and South America.
To become the leading player development academy in the Tampa Bay Area and South America, recognized for transforming the way young players learn, grow, and experience the game through South American coaching, innovation, and a strong partnership with families.
Blog
Why Small Group Training Works?
At SAFA, we believe that quality is more important than quantity. Every training session is conducted in small groups with a limited number of players, allowing each athlete to receive more individual attention and maximize every minute on the field.
More Touches on the Ball
With fewer players in each group, every player spends more time actively involved and gets significantly more touches on the ball.
More Coaching
Coaches provide immediate feedback, correct technique, and help players develop better habits throughout every session.
Correcting Negative Habits
Small-group training helps identify and correct habits that may be limiting a player's development.
Faster Development
More repetitions and personalized instruction lead to quicker improvement in technical skills, decision-making, confidence, and overall game performance.
Better Learning Environment
Players stay engaged, spend less time waiting in lines, and are constantly challenged through game-like activities.
Training That Fits the Player
Coaches can better understand each player's strengths and areas for improvement, creating a personalized development experience.
Ready to Take Your Game to the Next Level?
Join the SAFA Experience
Submit your player information and the SAFA team will follow up with the best training option for your family.
Registration
Information Received
Thank you. The SAFA team has received your player information and will contact you soon.
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