THE MFA STORY

Founded in 2024 by George Mells, a seasoned professional footballer, the Mells Football Academy (MFA) is a program built on the foundation of George’s rich and diverse football journey — one that began at two of England’s most renowned academies, Chelsea FC and Southampton FC.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Footballers. Born in Melbourne, Australia, and raised in the United Kingdom, George started his academy career at Chelsea FC, spending three formative years at Cobham from U11 to U14. He then continued his development on the South Coast at Southampton FC, an academy celebrated for producing top-tier talent that transitions into the senior professional game.

This pivotal phase of George’s career ignited his passion for coaching and talent development, ultimately inspiring the creation of Mells Football Academy in late 2024. George’s professional career spans across multiple leagues and countries. He competed in Australia’s A-League with Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, where he played a key role in Adelaide’s historic 2016 double-winning season, securing both the A-League Premiership and Championship — a feat that remains the club’s most successful campaign to date. His journey then took him to Europe, where he signed with Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands’ Eerste Divisie, contributing to the club’s promotion to the prestigious Eredivisie.

Domestically, George now plays in the National Premier League (NPL) with South Melbourne FC, having previously helped Port Melbourne achieve their highest-ever finish in the NPL era in 2022. He later played a pivotal role in Avondale FC’s 2023 NPL Premiership and Championship triumph — the club’s most successful season to date. With nearly 200 senior appearances to his name, George’s experience and insight form the backbone of MFA’s philosophy. His career reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to nurture young talent, emphasizing a holistic approach to player development.

The MFA program is built on four key pillars essential for any aspiring footballer’s growth:
Technical Development: First touch, passing and receiving, shooting, dribbling, and defensive fundamentals.
Tactical Awareness: Understanding positions, formations, spatial awareness, off-the-ball movement, and recognising patterns of play.
Physical Conditioning: Strength, endurance, body positioning, and mastering 1v1 duels.
Mental Resilience: Personalized coaching to meet each player’s unique needs, fostering confidence, game intelligence, and a positive mindset.

Mells Football Academy isn’t just about creating better players — it’s about developing resilient, intelligent, and well-rounded footballers prepared to excel on and off the pitch.