Staruf Football Academy is a youth football academy in Lagos State, Nigeria. Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai founded the academy to train young footballers through structured coaching and competitive football. The academy has operated from Surulere and currently holds weekend training sessions at the Mind Builders’ School Ground in Magodo-Olowora, Lagos, according to recent reports. This guide covers the academy’s registration process, reported fees, location, football trials, training programmes, facilities and contact information.
Staruf Football Academy at a Glance
| Category | Information |
| Founder | Peter Rufai |
| Established | After Peter Rufai retired from professional football |
| Academy Type | Youth football academy |
| Location | Magodo-Olowora, Lagos (recent training venue) |
| Previous Public Address | 18 Ayinde Giwa Street, Off Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere, Lagos |
| Gender | Boys and girls |
| Age Group | Approximately 6–18 years |
| Training | Technical, tactical, fitness and goalkeeping |
| Trials | Assessment required for new players |
| Boarding | No confirmed residential programme |
| Contact Phone | +234 703 961 1543 |
| staruf_academy@yahoo.com |
History of Staruf Football Academy Lagos
Peter Rufai founded Staruf Football Academy after retiring from professional football. He established the academy to provide organised football coaching for children and young players in Nigeria.
The academy admits players across different youth age groups. Coaches organise training around technical development, tactical awareness, physical conditioning and match play. Players also participate in friendly matches and youth competitions as part of the academy’s development programme.
Training sessions continue throughout the year according to the academy’s schedule. Recent reports indicate that weekend sessions take place at the Mind Builders’ School Ground in Magodo-Olowora, Lagos.
Peter Rufai’s Vision for Staruf Football Academy
Peter Rufai began his professional career with Stationery Stores before playing for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. He earned 65 senior caps for Nigeria, won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and represented the country at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups.
After retiring from professional football, Rufai focused on youth development. He established Staruf Football Academy to share the coaching methods and playing experience he gained during his career.
Rufai regularly attended training sessions, worked with young players and supported grassroots football initiatives through the academy. He remained involved in its activities until his death on 3 July 2025.
Staruf Football Academy Location
Staruf Football Academy was previously associated with 18 Ayinde Giwa Street, Off Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere, Lagos, in business directories and older public listings.
More recent reports state that the academy conducts weekend training sessions at the Mind Builders’ School Ground in Magodo-Olowora, Lagos.
The academy has used both locations. Recent news reports identify the Magodo-Olowora training ground as its current venue.
How to Register for Staruf Football Academy
Staruf Football Academy accepts applications from children and young footballers throughout the year, subject to available spaces. Registration begins with the completion of an application form, after which the academy schedules an assessment for you.
Applicants usually provide personal information, proof of age and passport photographs during registration. Parents or guardians complete the registration process for players below 18 years of age. Similar youth academies in Nigeria also request a birth certificate and basic medical information before admitting new players.
After registration, coaches assess each player before assigning them to an age group. The assessment focuses on technical ability, physical fitness and overall football development.
Staruf Football Academy Fees
Staruf Football Academy has not published an official fee schedule through its website or official public channels.
However, third-party publications place the academy’s annual training fees between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000. Those reports state that the amount varies according to the training programme and other academy requirements.
Other football academy guides in Nigeria note that players may also pay separately for registration, training kits, football boots, shin guards and travel where those items are not included in the programme.
| Fee | Reported Amount |
| Annual training fee | ₦100,000–₦250,000* |
| Registration fee | Not disclosed |
| Football kit | May attract a separate cost |
| Boots and shin guards | Usually supplied by the player |
NOTE: This is reported by third-party football academy directories. The academy has not confirmed this amount.
Staruf Football Academy Age Requirements
Staruf Football Academy trains children and teenagers through age-based coaching programmes.
Recent reports indicate that the academy works primarily with youth players between the ages of six and 18. Coaches group players according to age, technical ability and physical development during assessments.
Younger players begin with football fundamentals, while older players complete advanced technical and tactical sessions.
Staruf Football Academy Football Trials
Staruf Football Academy conducts player assessments before admitting new players into its coaching programme.
Coaches evaluate each person during practical sessions rather than classroom tests. The assessment usually measures first touch, passing accuracy, ball control, dribbling, shooting, pace, agility, positional awareness, decision-making and teamwork. These criteria follow the standard assessment process used by leading youth football academies in Nigeria.
Goalkeepers complete separate drills that include handling, reflexes, positioning, distribution and communication.
Players who meet the academy’s requirements join the appropriate age group for regular training.
Staruf Football Academy Training Programmes
Staruf Football Academy organises training sessions for young players at different stages of development. Coaches divide players into age-based groups to deliver training that matches their technical ability and physical development.
Technical sessions focus on ball control, first touch, passing, dribbling, shooting and finishing. Coaches introduce each skill through individual drills before progressing to partner exercises and small-sided games.
Tactical training covers positioning, movement on and off the ball, pressing, defensive shape, attacking transitions and decision-making. Players apply those concepts during match scenarios and practice games.
Goalkeepers train separately during specialist sessions. Coaches work on handling, footwork, positioning, reflexes, aerial balls, distribution and communication with defenders.
Fitness sessions include speed training, agility drills, endurance work, coordination exercises and flexibility routines. Coaches integrate conditioning with ball work instead of running isolated fitness sessions.
Training also includes practice matches, allowing coaches to evaluate players in competitive situations. Players receive feedback on technical execution, tactical awareness and decision-making after each session.
Staruf Football Academy Facilities
Recent reports identify the Mind Builders’ School Ground in Magodo-Olowora as the academy’s current training venue. The facility provides a football pitch for coaching sessions, practice matches and player assessments.
Training equipment includes footballs, cones, agility ladders, marker discs, mini hurdles, bibs and portable goalposts. Coaches use the equipment during technical, tactical and fitness sessions.
Goalkeepers train with gloves, reaction equipment and full-sized goalposts during specialist drills.
Competitions and Match Experience
Staruf Football Academy enters youth football competitions and organises friendly matches as part of its player development programme. Competitive fixtures allow coaches to assess players under match conditions.
Players represent the academy in age-group competitions organised by schools, local football organisers and youth tournaments in Lagos when invited. The academy also arranges friendly matches against other youth teams to maintain regular match practice.
Staruf Football Academy Coaching Philosophy
Peter Rufai based the academy’s coaching programme on the principles he experienced during his professional career in Europe. Training combines technical improvement, tactical discipline, physical preparation and teamwork. Recent reports also state that coaches encourage discipline, consistency and continuous learning throughout the programme.
Coaches monitor player performance during training sessions and matches before recommending progression to higher age groups or advanced programmes.
Staruf Football Academy Contact Details
Staruf Football Academy maintains a public presence through telephone, email and social media channels.
| Contact Information | Details |
| Phone | +234 703 961 1543 |
| staruf_academy@yahoo.com | |
| Staruf Football Academy | |
| Location | Mind Builders’ School Ground, Magodo-Olowora, Lagos (recently reported training venue) |
Parents and prospective players can use these channels to enquire about registration periods, training schedules and academy activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Staruf Football Academy?
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai founded Staruf Football Academy after retiring from professional football.
Where is Staruf Football Academy located?
Older public records associate the academy with 18 Ayinde Giwa Street, Off Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere, Lagos. More recent reports identify the Mind Builders’ School Ground, Magodo-Olowora, Lagos, as the academy’s training venue.
How much are Staruf Football Academy fees?
The academy has not published an official fee schedule. Third-party football academy directories estimate annual training fees at between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000, although the academy has not confirmed those figures.
What age does Staruf Football Academy accept?
Public reports indicate that the academy trains children and teenagers through age-based coaching programmes, generally covering players between six and 18 years old.
Does Staruf Football Academy organise football trials?
Yes. New applicants complete player assessments before joining the academy. Coaches evaluate technical ability, physical fitness and overall performance during the assessment process.
What does the training programme include?
The programme covers ball control, passing, dribbling, shooting, tactical awareness, fitness training, goalkeeping sessions and practice matches.
Who can register at Staruf Football Academy?
The academy accepts boys and girls who meet its admission requirements and complete the registration process.
Does the academy provide accommodation?
No available source states that Staruf Football Academy operates a residential programme or provides accommodation for players.
Does Staruf Football Academy offer football scholarships?
No official source states that the academy currently operates a scholarship programme. Public information instead focuses on its youth coaching and player development activities.
Does Staruf Football Academy have an official website?
As of July 2026, Staruf Football Academy does not appear to operate an active official website. The academy primarily shares updates through public listings and social media.
What Makes Staruf Football Academy Different?
Staruf Football Academy centres its coaching programme on long-term player development rather than short-term competition. Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai established the academy after his professional career and remained directly involved in coaching young players until his death in July 2025.
Unlike residential football academies, Staruf Football Academy operates as a non-boarding youth academy. Players attend scheduled training sessions while continuing their education at their respective schools.
The academy also places boys and girls in age-based groups before introducing technical, tactical and physical training appropriate to each stage of development.
How Staruf Develops Young Players
Staruf Football Academy introduces players to football through progressive coaching sessions.
Young players begin with basic techniques, including ball control, passing, receiving, dribbling and movement. Coaches then introduce tactical concepts such as positioning, pressing, attacking movement and defensive organisation.
As players progress, training sessions become more competitive. Coaches increase the intensity through small-sided games, full-pitch practice matches and scenario-based exercises.
Goalkeepers follow separate development sessions covering handling, positioning, communication, distribution and reflex training.
Can Girls Join Staruf?
Yes. Public information indicates that Staruf Football Academy accepts both boys and girls into its youth development programme.
Players train in age-based groups, while coaches organise sessions according to technical ability and physical development.
What Equipment Do Players Need?
Players generally require personal football equipment before joining training sessions.
The recommended equipment includes:
- Football boots.
- Shin guards.
- Football socks.
- Training shorts.
- Training jersey.
- Drinking water.
- Goalkeeping gloves for goalkeepers.
The academy supplies training equipment such as footballs, cones, marker discs and agility equipment during coaching sessions.
Opportunities After Training
Staruf Football Academy prepares players for competitive football through regular coaching and match experience.
Players may progress to:
- School football competitions.
- State football competitions.
- Youth football tournaments.
- Amateur football clubs.
- Professional academy trials.
- University football scholarships where available.
Selection depends on each player’s performance and available opportunities.
Staruf vs Other Football Academies in Lagos
Lagos is home to several football academies that operate different training models. While some academies combine football development with formal education or residential programmes, Staruf Football Academy Lagos focuses on structured youth coaching and player development through scheduled training sessions.
The academy differs from residential football academies because publicly available information does not indicate that it operates a boarding programme. Instead, players attend training sessions while continuing their education at their respective schools.
Like other youth football academies in Lagos, Staruf Football Academy organises training around technical development, tactical awareness, physical conditioning and match experience. Coaches also assess players before placing them in age-based training groups.
| Football Academy | Location | Founder | Boarding | Primary Focus |
| Staruf Football Academy | Magodo-Olowora, Lagos (recent training venue) | Peter Rufai | No publicly confirmed boarding programme | Youth football development |
| Pepsi Football Academy | Lagos | Kashimawo Abiola | No | Grassroots football development |
| Barcelona Academy Lagos | Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos | FC Barcelona programme | No | Youth football development using FC Barcelona methodology |
| Buruj Sports Academy | Ikorodu, Lagos | Buruj Sports Academy | Yes | Football development and education |
| Midas Football Academy | Lagos | Midas Football Academy | No publicly confirmed boarding programme | Youth football coaching |
Training structures, admission requirements and fees vary across academies.
