Football Development in Melbourne, Built from European Experience
We are a Melbourne based soccer academy created to help young players develop with more detail, more purpose and a deeper understanding of the game.
Led by Miguel Altares, a Spanish coach and former Real Madrid academy player, MAFD brings a European football methodology to players in Australia, combining technical development, tactical understanding, decision making and confidence on the ball.
Our goal is simple: to help players become smarter, more confident and more complete footballers.
miguel altares
founder & Former Real Madrid Academy Player
Miguel Altares was born in Madrid, Spain, and grew up with football as the centre of his life.
At the age of 11, he joined Real Madrid’s academy, where he spent seven years competing in one of the most demanding youth football environments in the world.
At Real Madrid, football was not just about playing. It was about competing every day, paying attention to every detail and understanding that nothing on the pitch was meaningless.
That experience shaped Miguel’s standards as a player and now shapes the way MAFD coaches every session.
Miguel’s coaching style is detailed, honest and positive. The goal is not to “hype kids up”, but to help them grow through good habits, clear feedback and consistent work.
Why MAFD Was Created in Melbourne
When Miguel arrived in Melbourne, he saw huge potential in Australian players.
Many players were fast, strong, athletic and technically capable. But he also noticed that many young players were missing something that is developed naturally in strong European football environments: game understanding.
Positioning, scanning, decision making, movement off the ball, timing and tactical awareness are often the details that separate good players from intelligent players.
MAFD was created to close that gap.
Our Methodology:
Technique, Intelligence and Real Game Development
At MAFD, we do not believe in random drills or sessions that simply keep players busy. Every exercise has a purpose. Our training is designed to help players transfer what they learn into real match situations.
1
Technical detail
First touch
Body shape
2
Passing quality
Ball control under pressure
1v1 ability
3
Scanning
Decision making
Positioning
4
Movement off the ball
Confidence and competitiveness
Where we train
MAFD is not just a place where players come to kick a ball. It is a development environment.
We want players to understand why they are doing each exercise, how it connects to the game and how it can help them improve as footballers.
That is why our sessions combine intensity, technical repetition, decision making and game based learning.
Players are encouraged to think, compete, communicate and take ownership of their development
Our Promise to Players and Families
We cannot promise shortcuts, goals, selections or results without work.
What we can promise is a professional environment, honest coaching and a clear methodology designed to help each player improve step by step.
At MAFD, development is not about doing more for the sake of doing more.
It is about training with purpose.
Want to train with us?
If you’d like to join MAFD, tell us your child’s age, current team level, and what you’d like to improve, and we’ll recommend the best training option.