Learn Play Achieve Limited, incorporating the LPA Academy, is a highly respected and thriving football coaching company operating in Surrey, Sussex and London.
Founded in 2009, (previously named Pro:Direct Soccer Academy), LPA provides an established, registered and successful skills teaching method for players from ages 4 to 18 years. We currently have over 40 coaches working across the 2 counties and coach thousands of players per week.
LPA Academy believes that a happy, safe and disciplined learning environment provides a great opportunity for children to strive to be the best they can be. Each child is treated equally and has the support from our management, coaching and support staff. Our Football Family is committed to setting the highest standard of development for your children, not only as footballers, but also as people.
LPA Academy recognises the need for all players to become skilled and confident technicians. We believe that focusing on individual player development creates happy and skillful players, who then have the desire to learn and sustain the love of the game, throughout their life’s journey. Based on that, our teams play an attractive brand of football, with the focus on game understanding and the four principles of play (Attacking, Transition to Defend, Defending and Transition to Attack).
Paul Sears – Cofounder/Director has worked for over 16 years as a technical coach in the UK. Paul has also worked in Asia and Europe delivering seminars, as well as working with academy standard players.
Paul has a playing career that spans 15 years playing for Crystal Palace and Brentford before moving to the semi-professional game representing Sutton Utd, Dulwich Hamlet and Staines Town.
Paul is an FA qualified coach who is hoping to take his A license in the near future. He holds Enhanced DBS certificates along with safeguarding and first aid qualifications.
Coaching philosophy
“Giving players the best opportunity to develop their technical skills and learn the game in a relaxed atmosphere whilst aiming to be the best they can be at whatever level.”
Del Tobias – Cofounder/Director, worked as a technical coach for over 14 years and is recognised as one of the leading technical coaches in the UK. Coaching experience of working through Europe presenting coaching clinics and seminars to Football Clubs, Coaches, Parents and Players and helped to create one of the most innovative and exciting coaching programmes for coaches and players in the UK and Europe.
FA Level 1, 2 and 3 ‘UEFA B’ Coaching badges, FA Youth Module 1, 2 & 3, FA First Aid and Level 1 for Treatment of Sports Injuries, Child Psychology level 1 and has a current CRC (Criminal Records Check and a Member of FACA (Football Association Coaches Association).
Coaching philosophy
“Every player is different, they learn, grow and develop at different rates and it is important for a coach to recognise that and to find the right classes for those players to develop. It is important to create the individuals, with good skills and technique to beat players, create space and give them more time on the ball and be comfortable with the ball at their feet and then coach them about game play (tactics, positioning and formations). LEARN-PLAY-ACHIEVE.”