IDF Fútbol Club: From Refugee Camps to National Championships — How a Cary, NC Club Is Changing Lives Through Soccer
What happens when two coaches share a vision bigger than soccer?
In the summer of 2011, at the WRAL Soccer Complex in Raleigh, NC, Coach Bakela watched Coach André run drills with a precision and intensity unlike anything he’d seen. A few conversations later, Inter Development Fútbol (IDF) was born — a club built on Integrity, Discipline, and Fearlessness that has since sent players to MLS, European leagues, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the U.S. Navy. This is the story of a club that proves soccer can change lives.
Part 1: The Origin Story
It started with a training session that looked different from everything else at the WRAL Soccer Complex. Coach Bakela noticed Coach André and his two sons running drills with a level of precision, quality of touches, and intensity that stood out immediately. He approached André, introduced himself, and within a few private sessions and conversations, discovered they shared the same vision.
They saw an opportunity not just for their own sons but for other families with ambition. And so, Inter Development Fútbol was born — a program dedicated to nurturing young talent, built on a foundation that would come to define everything about the club: Integrity, Discipline, and Fearlessness.
“We’re not only teaching them to be footballers — there is a higher purpose. We are preparing them for life.”
— Coach André, Founder of IDF
Over a decade later, IDF players have gone on to achieve remarkable things — some becoming professional footballers, others excelling at the collegiate level, and a select few even representing their senior national teams, including in FIFA Youth World Cup qualifiers and finals. Beyond the titles and accolades, the true measure of success is the transformation of these young athletes into champions in life.
Part 2: From Refugee Camps to National Championships
IDF made local and national headlines when their story was featured on WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler. The segment profiled a team based in Cary that had qualified for the national championship in Colorado — a team unlike any other in the state.
The IDF Roster: A World Map
Players from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, and right here in North Carolina — all training together, competing together, and winning together. One player spent seven years in a refugee camp before coming to the United States. Another grew up in Chapel Hill. The common thread? A love for the beautiful game and a coach who believed in every single one of them.
The team earned the number one ranking in the state, qualified for nationals, and along the way demonstrated that diversity isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a competitive advantage. Different backgrounds, different challenges, different perspectives — but one unified purpose on the pitch.
“With a minute to go, we were down 4–2. But because the team believed, they scored two goals, tied the game, and became champions.”
— Coach André, on the 2018 Regional Championship
That comeback encapsulates the IDF mentality: belief, resilience, and the refusal to quit — no matter the scoreboard, no matter the odds.
Part 3: The IDF Way — Three Values That Define Everything
IDF’s identity is built on three core values that guide everything they do — from how they train to how they treat each other off the field.
| Value | What It Means at IDF |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Acting with honesty and strong moral principles — even when no one is watching. IDF players are held to a standard of character that extends far beyond the soccer field. |
| Discipline | The ability to self-regulate behaviors that aid personal and soccer development. This isn’t about punishment — it’s about building habits that lead to excellence. |
| Fearlessness | Embracing competition while demonstrating high levels of confidence and bravery. IDF players are encouraged to take risks, express themselves, and play without fear of failure. |
These aren’t words on a wall. They’re principles that show up in every training session, every game, and every interaction between coaches and players.
Part 4: A Coaching Staff That Lives the Mission
What sets IDF apart from many youth clubs is the depth of purpose behind their coaching staff. These aren’t parent volunteers running drills from a YouTube video. Every IDF coach brings professional experience, cultural perspective, and a genuine commitment to developing the whole person.
Coach André — Founder & Head Coach
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Coach André built IDF from the ground up with a philosophy as simple as it is powerful.
“I coach because football transcends life, and I enjoy working with young people and placing them on a path to success.”
— Coach André
Coach Ayo
A lifelong student of the game with a deep belief in using soccer as a vehicle for personal growth.
“Through this game I became a better person and strive to be better every day. IDF is where I know I can achieve my personal goals while still learning every day to be not just a better coach but also a better person.”
— Coach Ayo
Coach Mike
Credits football with shaping his entire life trajectory and building friendships that span the globe.
“Football played a massive role in where I am today, allowed me to travel the world while building lifelong friendships with former teammates, coaches, and opposing players. Football is life.”
— Coach Mike
Coach Sean
Has been playing since he could walk — and still plays today.
“So many incredibly important life lessons are rolled up into what we do on the pitch. My hope is that the passion they carried with them the first time they stepped onto the pitch is still with them when they are my age. It truly is the beautiful game.”
— Coach Sean
IDF’s coaches don’t just teach the game. They foster critical thinking, encourage players to express themselves on and off the field, and develop well-rounded individuals who carry communication skills and core values into their social, academic, and professional lives.
Part 5: Possession Football as a Way of Life
On the tactical side, IDF is built around possession football — and they don’t treat it as just a formation or game plan. At IDF, possession demands a deep technical and tactical foundation, alongside an unwavering commitment to excellence.
IDF Training Methodology
- Players train 3–4 times per week
- Methodology aligns with the club’s system and style of play
- Small-sided games sharpen technical abilities, instill tactical awareness, and refine positional play
- Teams compete in local, regional, national, and international tournaments
The international component is a key differentiator. IDF players have competed in prestigious tournaments where legends like Lionel Messi, Juan Mata, Giovanni Dos Santos, Gerard Piqué, and Neymar competed as young players.
“My favorite part of the international experiences is to witness our players grow during the trips … they come out of their shell and really express who they are.”
— Coach André
Part 6: Where IDF Players End Up
The results speak for themselves. IDF alumni have gone on to extraordinary achievements across soccer and beyond.
| Pathway | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|
| Professional Soccer | Atlanta United (MLS, USA); FSV Mainz 05 II (Regionalliga Südwest, Germany) |
| College Programs | Sewanee Tigers and other collegiate programs across the country |
| National Teams | Senior national team representation in FIFA Youth World Cup qualifiers and finals |
| Beyond Soccer | U.S. Navy and careers across a wide range of professional fields |
The Real Measure of Success
“While a handful of our players go on to play professionally, and a few more earn a spot on a college roster, all of them will grow up to be responsible members of society. Preparing them to assume their place in society is our passion and commitment.” — Coach André
Part 7: More Than a Soccer Club
Youth soccer in America is often criticized for being pay-to-play, exclusive, and focused on the wrong metrics. IDF is a living counterexample.
This is a club that took kids from refugee camps and kids from Chapel Hill, put them on the same field, gave them world-class coaching, and watched them become state champions, national qualifiers, and — most importantly — confident young people ready to take on whatever comes next.
“Hard work beats everything.” — And when you combine that work ethic with a diverse family of players who genuinely care about each other, the results are extraordinary — both on the scoreboard and in life.
The IDF motto says it all: Fútbol Education For Life.
Visit IDF’s Profile on Soccer Near Me
Want to learn more about Inter Development Fútbol? Visit their full club profile to see team details, coaching staff, contact information, and more. If you’re a family in the Cary/Raleigh area looking for a club that develops character alongside skill, IDF deserves a serious look.
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