A private school style soccer academy that builds ball mastery, confidence, fitness, nutrition habits, and parent support so your child can thrive in every position and in every stage of life.
Confidence. Skill. Leadership. Give Your Player the Complete Soccer Education They Deserve
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QCFA Philosophy
Developing the player, valuing the person."
Our Core Belief
At Quad City Football Academy, we believe every player has the potential to reach their best
self through the game of football. Inspired by the world-renowned Ajax Youth Academy in
Amsterdam, we combine their proven player development philosophy with our own passion
for serving the youth of the Quad Cities. We are committed to creating an environment where
players are valued not just for their talent, but for their effort, character, and love of the game.
Our Mission
To help players develop holistically technically, tactically, physically, mentally, and
socially so they can meet key development benchmarks at the right ages, enjoy the game,
and succeed both on and off the field.
Key Principles
Player-Centered Development
Every player matters. We focus on individual growth while teaching the value of teamwork.
Success is measured by progress and long-term development, not short-term results.
Age-Specific Benchmarks
We provide a clear pathway with defined skills and competencies expected at each age.
Training is tailored to the developmental stage of the player, ensuring the right challenges at
the right time. Players are supported in achieving these benchmarks through structured
training and regular feedback.
Total Football Learning Environment
Inspired by Ajax, we believe players must be comfortable in every position. Training
emphasizes technical mastery, tactical awareness, creativity, and decision-making.
Adaptability and versatility are celebrated.
Holistic Growth
We invest in the player's body (fitness & health), mind (resilience & mindset), and spirit
(enjoyment & confidence). We emphasize responsibility, discipline, and respect on and off the
pitch. Parents, coaches, and players work together as partners in the journey.
Long-Term Success Over Short-Term Gains
Development comes before winning. Our goal is not just to prepare great soccer players, but
to prepare strong young men and women who can succeed in life.
Our Vision
To create a community driven academy that mirrors the excellence of top
academies while staying rooted in the values of the Quad Cities. We want QCFA players to
stand out not just for their skill, but for their character, leadership, and love for the game.
QCFA HIGHLIGHT
Meet Coach Gerard
From the moment I could first kick a ball my dad rolling it to me before I was even walking I knew soccer was more than a game. It was a language I felt in my heart, a process I loved, and a way to push myself again and again. Growing up in Davenport, Iowa, I fell in love with the challenge, the repetition, the small victories, and the constant possibility to improve.
Over the years, I took that love from the field to the sidelines. I invested in learning, studying elite European youth philosophies like Ajax, seeking mentorship, and dedicating myself to developing young players not just talented ones, but every child who shows up with heart. When I started training my niece at age six, it was just the two of us. But when parents saw her progress on social media videos, they asked me to train their kids, too. That’s how this dream began.
My mission is to teach the youth players about resilience in the face of challenges, champions rise when others fall. Dedication When the path is tough the road to excellence is never easy. Character that refuses to quit
when others give up, champions find another way forward. This is what I want every child who trains with us to believe, No matter how big the challenge, with heart, hard work, and the right guidance, they can achieve their goals on and off the field.
Today, as Coach Gerard many call me “Coach Tío” I bring all of that hard work and passion into Quad City Futbol Academy. Quad City Futbol Academy is like a private school for soccer, a structured, long-term program built on five pillars of development technical skill, tactical awareness, physical fitness, mental resilience, and lifestyle education. our guiding philosophy is simple “Developing the player, valuing the person.”
I don’t just teach dribbles or skills I mentor confidence, mindset, character, and respect. I love collaborating with coaches and clubs across the Quad Cities and surrounding areas, and I proudly train players from every club — including BSA, Strikers, Sporting Iowa, North Scott, QC Elite, EMSSC, QC Rush, FC United ECNL-RL, Sporting Iowa East ECNL, and more.
When you entrust your player to QCFA, you gain more than a coach. You gain a guide who invests deeply in communication, accountability, and long-term growth. Together, we’ll walk the path of improvement on the field, in their mindset, and beyond.
“How We Develop Players On and Off the Field”
Technical (Ball Mastery & Skills)- Every great player starts with control. We focus on first touch, dribbling, passing, and striking so your child feels confident with the ball in every situation.
Tactical (Game Intelligence & Decision-Making)- Players learn how to read the game, play every position, and make smart decisions under pressure. Creativity and adaptability are celebrated.
Physical (Fitness & Strength)- Stay motivated and focused with our regular check-ins and personalized adjustments. By holding you accountable.
Mental (Confidence & Mindset)- Soccer is as much mental as physical. We build resilience, leadership, and self-belief so players can perform under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.
Lifestyle (Nutrition & Character)- Soccer is as much mental as physical. We build resilience, leadership, and self-belief so players can perform under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
Coach Gerard is just the best person. He is fun, positive, authentic, energetic brings an awesome vibe with his music, and highly motivating to players of all levels. His love of the game shines through him and emulates to the players.
"I always enjoy training with Coach Gerard. He always pushes me far past my limits."
"Coach Gerard is really nice, and he knows a lot about soccer. He makes training fun!"
"Haddie has been training with Coach Gerard since fall of 2023. We wanted to find a trainer that would help Haddie focus on being more aggressive on the field and work on being more in control of the ball. Haddie has came a long way since starting her training she has shown more aggression on the field that we have never seen and she is much more in control of her passing game. She loves the environment that Coach Gerard has created she looks forward to her training sessions every week. Coach Gerard has created an environment where every player is valued, encouraged, and challenged. We can't recommend Coach Gerard enough.
As a family, we are truly grateful for the positive impact Coach Tio has had on our girls, both on an off the field. Coach Tio has instilled values of discipline, teamwork, and confidence that carry over into everyday life. The dedication, patience, an encouragement shown have made an incredible difference, and we feel blessed to have such a supportive and knowledgeable trainer guiding our children.
Jilly has been training with Coach Tio since January 2024. Since then we have seen significant improvement in her footwork skills, her passing, and her confidence on the field. Coach Tio is so good at explaining the skills and strategies in a way the kids easily understand. He is positive, energetic, and makes the training fun! You can tell that he truly love soccer and enjoys helping kids learn and develop. I also appreciate he has connected with the high school coach to ensure he is preparing the girls wit the skills the need to be successful on the high school team. Jilly has made several friends in her training group. She looks forward to going each week and also loves the smoothies! I would highly recommend Coach Tio and the Quad City Futbol Academy
Coach Gerard has been more than a trainer for my son, he’s turned into family! Since Tateum was 4 years old Gerard has created a safe environment for Tateum and peers to be themselves and develop skills kiddos never knew they had! He has dedicated countless hours to youth development and has given up free time doing community events as well. These community events include “Soccer Saturdays” and many picnics to gather soccer families from all local clubs together. Coach Gerard will forever be a large part in my child’s love for the game and we appreciate him for it!
Coach Gerard has taught Ivie so much. She will be talking to me about plays/games and I will be like who taught you that that? She says "Coach Tio" Words cannot explain how much love Ivie has for the game because of your support and coaching!
I have done private and team training with Gerard. He is super supportive of all players, and he really pushes me to be my best. He is not only a coach, but a friend.
We recently moved to the area & a friend shared Gerard’s info for training & coaching soccer. My son likes soccer but never played organized or on a team. His first experience with being coached was with Gerard & it went great! Having my sons first interaction with the sport & a great coach made a huge impact on his passion for the sport. He goes for lessons now & he’s begging me to get him into a league. Coach Gerard is great with motivating & encouraging the kids
McKenlea has been training with Gerard for the last 3 months! Gerard has inspired McKenlea and motivated her in ways as a parent I could not! We do weekly trainings. She’s always excited and ready. She has not only gained skills but also confidence. McKenlea has such a passion for soccer and loves going to her weekly training sessions with Gerard! It’s been great watching her grow and develop! I cannot wait to see what her future brings!
Myself and my daughter Tilly have been nothing but pleased with Coach Gerard. When we arrive at training he is set up and ready to go. He encourages Tilly to learn, work hard and have fun. He is always finding new ways to improve her ball mastery and agility. I would love for Tilly to be able to train with Coach Gerard every day if we could. Thank you for everything you have done and will do Coach! You are definitely a 100 in our book!
school PRograms
3 WAYS TO ELEVATE YOUR GAME
Development Player Program
GREAT ONCE A WEEK INTRODUCTORY OPTION FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE COMMITTED TO CONSISTENT LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT
1 Weekly Training Session (50 per year) – $1,200 value
Quarterly Player Evaluations-$400 value
Onboarding Phone Call with Player & Parent – $150 value
Ball Mastery Training Curriculum Access - $500 value
Confidence Boosting Drills & Mental Skills – $250 value
Official Welcome Kit – $150 value
25% OFF Discount on Elite Feet Pro Online School- $799 value
Exclusive Discounts for Camps & Clinics – $150 value
Payment Options Available
Flexible Scheduling
Core Academy Player Program
GREAT POWERFUL PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S LONG TERM GROWTH
2–3 Weekly Training Sessions (120-140 per year) – $3,000 value
Onboarding Video Call with Player & Parent – $150 value
Quarterly Comprehensive Evaluations Report Cards across Technical, Tactical, Physical, & Mindset Growth– $600 value
Confidence Champion Mindset Program – $400 value
Ball Mastery Benchmarks & Fitness Testing - $950 value
Ongoing Parent Guidance, Support & Development Roadmap – $300 value
Elite Feet Pro Online School included FREE- $799 value
Position Specific Workshops & Periodic Testing - $500 value
2 Game Film Breakdowns/Year - $250 Value
Priority Access to Special Camps & Clinics – $250 value
Payment Options Available
Flexible Scheduling
elite feet pro (online training school)
YOUR ALL-IN-ONE ONLINE SCHOOL FOR MASTERING SKILLS, BUILIDNG CONFIDENCE, AND DOMINATING THE FIELD
Complete Online Soccer Training Platform – $799 value
Ball Mastery Training Curriculum Access - $400 value
Champion Mindset Confidence Program – $300 value
Futbol Fuel Nutrition Blueprint – $250 value
Futbol Fitness Strength & Agility System – $300 value
At-Home Training Videos Updated Monthly – $200 value
Private Online Gamified Community for Support – $150 value
Access to Live Virtual Q&A Coaching Sessions – $350 value
Parent Support & Soccer Development Resources – $100 value
Payment Options Available
Train Anywhere, Anytime
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our services? You're in the right place!
Question 1: What makes QCFA different ?
QCFA operates like a private school for soccer. We focus on individual player development — ball mastery, confidence, fitness, nutrition, mindset, and parent education. Our programs are structured, consistent, and designed for long-term growth.
Question 2: Do you compete with local clubs?
No — we collaborate with coaches and work with players from every club in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.Clubs like Strikers, BSA, EMSSC, QC Rush, North Scott, Sporting, FC America, FC United ECNL-RL, and Sporting Iowa East ECNL all have players training at QCFA.
Question 3: What programs do you offer?
We offer two main in-person programs and one online school:
Development Program – 1 session per week, 50 sessions per year, quarterly evaluations, and a welcome kit.
Core Academy Player Program – everything in Development plus 2–3 sessions per week (offseason), 1–2 sessions per week (in-season), quarterly report cards, fitness testing, video analysis, parent support, and player perks (jersey kits, awards, merch surprises).
Elite Feet Pro Online School – a complete online training platform with ball mastery, mindset, fitness, nutrition, and community support
Question 4: What ages do you train?
We train players as young as 7 years old through high school and college. Training is tailored to each age with age-specific benchmarks, ensuring the right challenges at the right time
Question 5: How many sessions are included?
We don’t price by session QCFA is a transformation program, not a class. Our goal isn’t just to run practices, but to develop confident, skilled, and disciplined players through consistent, structured training. Each month is part of a long-term development plan focused on measurable growth, not attendance. You’re not paying for sessions you’re investing in your player’s transformation. You can expect around this number of sessions while training with us depending on the program you are in. Development Program: 1 session per week (50 per year). Core Academy: 120–140 sessions per year. More training = more reps
Question 6: Can my child join anytime during the year?
Yes! We offer rolling enrollment. Every new player gets a baseline evaluation and is supported with quarterly reports so they can progress alongside their peers
Question 7: What if my child plays other sports too?
We understand multi-sport athletes. QCFA offers flexible weekly time slots so players can stay consistent even with busy schedules. Core Academy players have extra sessions available to make up if they miss a day.
Question 8: What areas of development do you focus on?
We build players across five pillars:
Technical – ball mastery, first touch, dribbling, striking
Tactical – decision-making, learning all positions
Physical – speed, agility, strength, endurance
Mental – confidence, resilience, mindset
Lifestyle – nutrition, discipline, respect, parent education
Question 9: Do you only train elite players?
No — we work with beginners through ECNL and college players. What matters most is commitment. If your child wants to improve, we have a pathway for them
Question 10: How do parents stay involved?
Parents are partners in the process. Core Academy families get monthly emails, quarterly meetings, and Q&A nights with coaches. Development families get quarterly evaluations and consistent feedback. We also provide parent education resources to help you support your child without pressure
Question 11: How do I know if my child needs extra training outside their club team?
If your child struggles with confidence, first touch, or ball mastery, or if they feel “lost” in games, supplemental training can make a big difference. Some Clubs might not have enough time to focus on individual skill development , that’s where we step in.
Question 12: What’s the best age to start soccer training?
We start players as young as 7 years old. At this age, training is focused on fun, coordination, and basic ball mastery. As players get older, we layer in tactical, physical, and mental development.
Question 13: Will this training interfere with my child’s current team/club?
Not at all. QCFA is designed to complement club soccer, not replace it. We train players from BSA, Strikers, Sporting Iowa, North Scott, QC Elite, EMSSC, FC America, QC Rush, FC United ECNL-RL, Sporting Iowa East ECNL, and more.
Question 14: What makes your academy “like a private school”?
We provide structured yearly programs with clear benchmarks, progress reports, and consistent coaching. Just like private school focuses on academics, we focus on the 5 pillars of development: Technical, Tactical, Physical, Mental, and Lifestyle
Question 15: What’s the difference between the Development Program and Core Academy?
Development = 1 session per week (introductory, consistency-focused).
Core Academy = 2–3 sessions per week (deep training, accountability, and maximum growth). Includes extras like video analysis, report cards, and parent support.
Question 16: What skills will my child learn at QCFA?
Ball mastery (dribbling, first touch, control)
Confidence under pressure
Decision-making & creativity
Playing every position (adaptability)
Speed, agility, and fitness
Nutrition, mindset, and discipline
Question 17: How do I know if my child is a good fit for QCFA?
If your child is motivated, enjoys soccer, and wants to improve they’re a fit. We work with shy beginners, confident competitors, and everything in between. Commitment is the only requirement
Question 18: What happens if my child misses a session?
Core Academy players can attend extra sessions on other days. Development players can make up by attending an alternate group.
Question 19: Do you offer online options?
Yes — our Elite Feet Pro Online School allows players to train from home with structured drills, mindset coaching, fitness, nutrition, and a gamified community. For an affordable monthly payment of $149 for 6 months for the year. Core Academy Program Players get Elite Feet Pro included FREE in their program.
Question 20: How do I get in touch with someone about training?
Make sure you fill out the application towards the top of this page, after that take the survey Coach Gerard will get in touch with you immediately. He really values good communication with parents and players.
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