April 24, 2017

Meet Sean Afkhaminia of Footy Factory in Addison

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Afkhaminia.

Sean, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m often asked WHY I do what I do. For me, the answer is simple: I love it! But when I think about it more, the answer to that question actually goes much deeper than that.

Growing up as a youth player in Dallas, I always had a lot of natural ability. I understood the game well and had the creativity to do things that other players couldn’t. But I could never really explain how or why I was able to do those things because I lacked the technical knowledge and training necessary to grasp the finer details. This holds true with most American players, including some that have made it to the highest level.

I played collegiately at West Texas A&M, an NCAA II university known for its dominant athletic programs. During my four-year term there, my realization of unfulfilled potential was confirmed when I saw the level of the European players on the team and the backgrounds they were all coming from. It wasn’t until after this time that I really began to grow as a player, but by then it was already too late for me.

Having identified this major player development issue in US youth soccer, my priorities started to change. Now my focus had shifted from chasing my own dreams, to filling that void and giving the next generation an opportunity to chase theirs.

Due to my family’s financial situation, the current pay-to-play system in the US made it impossible for me to get the proper training and experience when I was younger to fulfill my potential as a player. It really bothered me that I didn’t get a fair chance at success in the sport that I love so much.

There is a massive pool of untapped talent in America. Too many youth players are eliminated by default and eventually slip through the cracks because they simply can’t afford to play.

When I started Footy Factory on January 27, 2014, I made it my personal mission to create everything I never had as a player in order to give kids of all socioeconomic backgrounds an equal opportunity to develop their talents.

Now, just over three years later, we have four full Academy teams, a men’s semi-professional/amateur team, plus numerous training programs and camps running year-round.

My vision for Footy Factory is to one day have a fully-funded Academy so that when a player is promoted, they no longer pay any dues to the club. The only way for us to accomplish that is by generating revenue via donations and corporate sponsorships to contribute to our Scholarship Fund.

Until we are able to eliminate the pay-to-play model in America, our country can never claim to be in the business of long-term player development and our National Team will continue to suffer as a result.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been far from a smooth road! I’ve faced many of the same struggles that probably any entrepreneur has faced when starting a business, but probably the biggest one for me personally has been the financial struggle. There have been times where I’ve had to live off of literally nothing for weeks at a time; making drastic sacrifices like skipping meals, putting off certain bills, and cutting out any extra social leisure.

It’s been difficult because I’ve obviously gone into business for myself to earn that financial freedom, but I’ve had to learn that it’s really the long-term reward I’m after and not the instant gratification. For me, it’s not about the money. I’m doing what I love to do and living the life that I want. I just hope to make a real difference that can have a significant impact on U.S. Soccer as a whole, and leave a legacy that will last long after I am gone.

I’ve really just embraced the process and trust that if I’m doing the right thing, I will always have everything that I need. “Chase the vision, and the money will follow.”

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Footy Factory – what should we know?
Our mission is “To Identify, Develop, and Promote the Talents of Tomorrow.”

IDENTIFY – In Phase 1 we will take a look at a player and assess their natural ability. Players are able to get a feel for the Footy Factory experience through our seasonal three-day camps that consist of detailed technical training and classroom sessions. Here is where we identify a player with potential.

DEVELOP – In Phase 2 we bring a player in for more focused, individual work through our Group Training and Personal Training programs. We have sessions available for players 6 days/week year-round to provide scheduling flexibility for parents, but also to encourage that mentality of working hard every day to achieve your goals. It’s not enough to just practice twice/week with your team and get a game or two on the weekend. Players have to train every single day if they really want to be successful. Here is where we take a player and develop them to maximize that potential we identified in Phase 1.

PROMOTE – In Phase 3, once the time is right, we will promote that player into FF Academy, to represent us in our competitive teams. Throughout Phase 2, the coaching staff will be monitoring their progress and tracking their development through our Footy Analytics testing system to decide when to select certain players. This is typically the only part you’ll see at any other soccer club, but the technical foundation is missing. Here is where we will establish a very close personal relationship with each and every one of our FF Academy players to ensure they are getting everything they need to fulfill their individual potential and learn how to play the game properly.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am absolutely desperate for success and it shows in the passion I have for making my players better and better. But I know that success is not a final destination. It’s all about the process and the path that I am on. I am not concerned with anything else happening in my industry, because I know that if I stay in my lane I will get where I want to go. My focus and work ethic is what pushes me and motivates me to keep going, to do the little things every single day. It’s really that simple.

Pricing:

FootyAnalytics Camps (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter) – $125
Group Training Classes (6 days/week, year-round) – $150/month for unlimited training
Personal Training Sessions – All trainers available at various rates
Team Training Programs – Various skills session packages available for school, rec, club, and academy teams

Contact Info: