5 things that make NF Academy different

Published on: 29/06/2022
POPULAR: Surveys shows that their NF Academy's attendants are very happy with the product.
POPULAR: Surveys shows that their NF Academy's attendants are very happy with the product.

5 THINGS THAT MAKE NF ACADEMY DIFFERENT

There are many football camps you can attend this summer. Here are five reasons why NF Academy think they have a competitive edge.

Many of the up and coming footballers fall into two camps: Those who have fathers that were pro footballers, and those who attended private football academies from an early age.

Why is it like that?

Many flattering things can be said about youth soccer in the Nordic countries, but the clubs are rarely good at talent development. In order to “reach the top” most players, therefore, need “something extra”. If you are not blessed with a football father and mentor like Martin Ødegaard, Erling Braut Haaland or Jordan Larson it is probably a good idea to join an academy.

But which academy shall you choose? NF Academy thinks they have a competitive edge in the game and here are the five reasons why you should join NF International this summer.

POPULAR: Surveys shows that their NF Academy's attendants are very happy with the product.

5 THINGS THAT MAKE NF ACADEMY DIFFERENT

There are many football camps you can attend this summer. Here are five reasons why NF Academy think they have a competitive edge.

Many of the up and coming footballers fall into two camps: Those who have fathers that were pro footballers, and those who attended private football academies from an early age.

Why is it like that?

Many flattering things can be said about youth soccer in the Nordic countries, but the clubs are rarely good at talent development. In order to “reach the top” most players, therefore, need “something extra”. If you are not blessed with a football father and mentor like Martin Ødegaard, Erling Braut Haaland or Jordan Larson it is probably a good idea to join an academy.

But which academy shall you choose? NF Academy thinks they have a competitive edge in the game and here are the five reasons why you should join NF International this summer.

1. CONTINUITY = OPPORTUNITY

NF Academy works with players over time. They are not like a circus coming to town for one weekend only. NF Academy has an ecosystem of camps, tournaments and even scholarships that our players can apply to. All of these events are connected an offers the players a wide range of opportunities.

We have previously published an article about how players can go on to NF Trials in  the UK and win a training week at Sporting CP and how even more will get that opportunity after participating in one of our gatherings.

Josh Penny, in collaboration with the NF Academy, has decided to bring player development to football’s homeland.

It will take place with the NF International Trials program in Hertfordshire, where there will be three days of high quality training from August 5 to August 7 at Wodson Park. This is suitable for all boys and girls born in 2006-2013.

I wanted to bring NF Academy to the UK to give players the chance to perform at the highest level against the best players. Not only that but to have chance of training with Sporting CP is a huge opportunity for players in the UK. An opportunity that has never been presented here, says NF Academy partner Josh Penny.

Josh Penny our country partner in the UK, looks forward to helping more young players raise their level at the upcoming NF Academy gatherings in England.
Josh Penny our country partner in the UK, looks forward to helping more young players raise their level at the upcoming NF Academy gatherings in England.

2. THE PORTUGUESE PHILOSOPHY

Another thing that makes NF Academy special is the Portuguese connection.

Portugals population is just above 10 million, but the country on the Iberian peninsula has been punching above its weight in international football for decades and even won the UEFA EURO 2016. Most of NF Academy’s coaches have experience from top Portuguese clubs such as Sporting CP, where they had a window into what it takes to become the next Christiano Ronaldo or Nani.

Our Academy Director Gonçalo Nunes says that he tries to pass on the Portuguese football philosophy to the students at NF Academy. He points out that the competitive aspect of the game is welcomed in Portugal. Players aren’t just encouraged to have fun from an early age, they are also encouraged to win.

– This is something we try to pass on to the Nordic players, says Nunes. – The Nordic players are not taught to compete in the same way as their Portuguese counterparts. But a winner instinct is necessary if you want to reach the highest level in football.

The main goal is to improve the participants ability to read the game. To do that, we work from the principles of the game. Once they begin to understand the principles and make the right decisions in different situations, they will develop greatly as players, regardless of technical level:

Step 1 – Offensive principle: Progression; Offensive coverage; Mobility; Room.

Step 2 – Defensive principle: Delay of play: Defensive coverage; Balance; Compactness. The third step is based on the individual player’s technique. This is also where our coaches give the most direct feedback and advice to the players about their performance.

Step 3 – Competitive sessions to facilitate individual technical development: Dribbling / tackles, finishes, ball control, heading, goalkeeper positions, 1 on 1 situations and more.

NF Academy Sports Director Gonçalo Nunes
NF Academy Sports Director Gonçalo Nunes

NF Academy Sports Director Gonçalo Nunes adds that the players in Portugal also learn football with a certain analytical approach. This is something he also tries to implement at NF Academy gatherings.

“We try to break the game up into smaller pieces, so that players can get a more holistic understanding of the game. We want the players to be better problem solvers. We give them several challenges that they have to deal with under pressure. Not only do you have to have quick feet in football, you have to think fast too.”

READ ALSO: NF International Trials and get in touch with us to guarantee a place this summer.

3. LESS SHOWBOATING, MORE FOCUS

A lot of NF Academy’s competitors have fancy names referencing to top international clubs. That, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that the coaches on the camps are at the club’s academies payroll or have any connection to the club whatsoever.

Often times the clubs sell their brand as a franchise to the highest bidder and the coaches are outsiders.

NF Academy, on the other hand, has vetted all of their coaches carefully and they all originate from top football academies in Portugal, such as Benfica Academy and Sporting CP`s Academy.

NF Academy intense trainings
NF Academy intense trainings

4. NUMBERS TALK

NF Academy has surveyed its attendants over the years and the data is uplifting.

87.44 per cent of NF Academy’s attendants last year said that they would sign up for our event again this summer.

NF Academy’s more detailed data also shows that their attendants are overwhelmingly positive about the quality of the technical programs, which NF Academy takes great pride in.

Find out more about the NF International Trials in the UK

5. LOCAL PARTNERS

NF Academy has partners all around the Nordic countries and now also in the UK. This means that they give something back to local clubs financially, but also that they understand what is happening on the ground and are better equipped to accommodate the players and their parents on a personal level.

Prior to our events the players and their parents can speak with NF Academy’s partners face to face and get their questions answered in their native language. The response will also be quick and efficient as there are none bureaucratic intermediaries involved.

NF Academy local partners also ensure that the coaches flying are well prepared for the task they are up to.

– The better prepared you are, the better your product will be. We want to know as much about the player’s skill level and aspirations in advance. This means that we can tailor-make the product for the players on a group level as well as on an individual level, says founder and CEO of NF Academy Jarand Fretheim.

UPCOMING NF ACADEMY EVENTS

No Events

Check the complete Event Calendar here.

CONTACT US TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS


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