NF SELECTION
CHALLENGE CUP
We here at NF Academy are happy to invite talented girls to compete in Challenge Cup 2021.
The tournament is held in the beautiful region of Algarve, Portugal in June and has attracted top Portuguese teams such as Benfica and Sporting CP over the years. We seek motivated girl players to represent NF Academy and receive coaching from our team of skilled coaches.
WHO IS IT FOR?
We are seeking girl players with a medium to high regional level with a strong motivation and willingness to learn. Players in the following age categories can join this program:
- 2006, 2007 and 2008 for U15 (7 a side)
GOALS WITH THE PROGRAM
Our main objectives in NF Selection Challenge Cup is to provide players with international match references against strong teams, give the players a better understanding of the game and provide experience in integrating into a team with good players from different countries.
During the preparational training camp and tournament, we will do a full evaluation of all the players. Each player will have a meeting with their head coach and get detailed feedback on what they need to improve to reach a higher level. All the players will be provided with an evaluation report with the purpose to give guidance for their training work when they return to their country.
“I went to Madrid to train with Atlético de Madrid 2004 girls team. This was a new great experience for me and I want to thank NF Academy for this opportunity.”
Cille Nielsen, Norway, 2006
PACKAGES
PLAYER
• Social program and supervision of players
• Individual player report
1150 EUR (8 days / 7 nights)
FAMILY
From 800 EUR (8 days / 7 nights)
EQUIPMENT
Includes: Home & Away Jerseys, 2 training shirts, 2 shorts, 2 pair of socks and 1 sweater
Includes: Home & Away Jerseys, 2 training shirts and 2 shorts
PARTICIPATING CLUBS
TOURNAMENT FACTS
The Challenge Cup is a tournament designed for players to bring their families. With high competitive standards combined with an opportunity for the players to make new friends, the tournament is ideal for young players who wish to both get a reference on international football and experience other cultures.
In 2019, more than 150 teams from all over the world participated in the tournament.
More information: https://challengecuptournaments.com/
PARTICIPATING CLUBS
TOURNAMENT FACTS
The Challenge Cup is a tournament designed for players to bring their families. With high competitive standards combined with an opportunity for the players to make new friends, the tournament is ideal for young players who wish to both get a reference on international football and experience other cultures.
In 2019, more than 150 teams from all over the world participated in the tournament.
More information: https://challengecuptournaments.com/
LOCATION
The family friendly tournament is not only focused on football, and is catered to give the players and their families an experience outside of the sport too, so why not combine the tournament with a family holiday in the beautiful region of Algarve?
The area is filled with beaches, historic towns for the culturally oriented and theme parks. Go surfing, play golf, take an island escape or go hiking and exploring in the exotic landscapes. Also included in participation, is free entry to the Slide and Splash aquatic park for all participants and 50% discount for relatives.
LOCATION
The family friendly tournament is not only focused on football, and is catered to give the players and their families an experience outside of the sport too, so why not combine the tournament with a family holiday in the beautiful region of Algarve?
The area is filled with beaches, historic towns for the culturally oriented and theme parks. Go surfing, play golf, take an island escape or go hiking and exploring in the exotic landscapes. Also included in participation, is free entry to the Slide and Splash aquatic park for all participants and 50% discount for relatives.
VIDEOS
OTHER INFORMATION
We value to give good consultation before booking a program to ensure the right challenge for all our participants. Best way to identify if this program is suitable for you is to start by sending us a request. Please give us some information about the club, position, age, level and goals, and we will follow up from there. If you have some video available, please share.
Are you unsure if you have the level to be in this program? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We can let you know when the next available local training camp in your region take place, and evaluate the player for international programs.
Program 2021
Day 1
Arrival day with team dinner.
Day 2
Training session focusing on preparations for the first day of the match.
Day 3
Open ceremony and the start of the tournament matches.
Day 4 to Day 6
Tournament matches.
Day 7
Finals and closing ceremony.
Day 8
Return day.
HOTEL BE LIVE PALMEIRAS
Hotel Be Live Palmeiras is a 4 stars hotel located near Armação de Pera, Algarve. Players and family relatives will stay with an all-inclusive package where they can enjoy all the services that the hotel has to offer, such as the pool, the football field, gym and pool bar. It is at walking distance to the beach.
GONÇALO NUNES
HEAD COACH AND NF ACADEMY DIRECTOR
NF Academy International Director Gonçalo Nunes has an impressive 25-year background in youth football. He is a solid resource for both NF Academy and the players in the academy system together with NF Academy Director Joao Plantier.
Gonçalo has mainly worked as Head Coach, technical coordinator and technical director for 25 years in international football. He has a UEFA-A license as well as level 3 IPDJ as a sports coach, and is really looking forward to working closer to the talented players of NF Academy.
International Background
He has worked under Carlos Queiroz, and the Manchester United football school project for 6 years. Gonçalo has also been linked to Sporting Clube de Portugal for 2 years, and for the past 5 years he has been responsible for the international field of youth football in Sport Lisboa e Benfica. There he has also been a player developer coordinator for the past three years.
During the last decade, he has been involved in several international projects and programs at various levels, where he has traveled around the world, as well as coordinating and involved with thousands of players and coaches on programs in Portugal.
Gonçalo will select the coaching staff for this program. You can see all our coaches here.
«I participated with NF Academy’s U13 team, which was great! Vi got to the quarter final, where we lost to Sporting CP on penalties. It’s not the best way to go out of a competition, but the whole setup is great with some very good coaches!”
Niklas Haugland, Leeds U23 and Norway U17 national team
“I would say my time with NF Academy has helped take away the challenging aspect that new situations can produce, such as getting national team callups, changing clubs or taking further steps as a player. Their programs are on a high level, with good coaches, and there are players from different nationalities who seek the same as you. It really makes you develop both as a person and a player.”
Oscar Fuglesang, Silkeborg and Denmark U17 national team
«João Plantier has played an important part in my career for several reasons. He gave me freedom and believed in me. We had a close relationship, and he monitored me the whole way. João gave me feedback on what I needed to improve during matches, and last but not least, he was very good at constantly providing me with new challenges.”
Zeca, Captain of FC Copenhagen and Greece national team
“I played together with same very good players and trained under very competent coaches. First and foremost, it was a great experience, and I got a good reference on what level the best teams in Europe were on. Such programs carry a lot of worth, because they later on make the transition to new teams and levels easier.”
Kristian Arnstad, RSC Anderlecht and captain of Norway U16
“The training sessions are on a very high level, and there are exercises I have never participated in before. I have learned a lot, which I take with me to my training back home in Norway”
Dylan Ryan Murugesapilla, Lillestrøm and captain of Norway U15
“My boys (born 2004 and 2007) are really excited to come to the IberCup Cascais tournament. Not only to play against top teams but also to see where their current level is and to train and meet other good players around Scandinavia. To have programs like NF Academy is fantastic. When you train with top-level coaches and other same age players you really see where the international football level is.»
Bjørn Helge Riise, former Fulham and Norwegian National team player
«It wasn’t until we came home that we saw the huge improvements in Kevin as a player. He has a new authority about him now, and his decision making is better. The reason for this, is good experiences and good coaches at NF Academy. We won’t for a second regret we chose a team with the competence that NF Academy has.”
Thomas Hansvoll, former professional boxer and national champion
“The stay with NF Academy gave me a taste of everyday life as a professional. Very competent coaches and good players around me. The days were good, and I learned a lot. It was after this stay that I dared to visit foreign clubs to show what I can do.”
Lucas Kåhed, IFK Gøteborg and Sweden U17
“I am very happy with last year’s NF Academy participation in IberCup. It was very exciting and inspiring to get to play in a team with so many good players from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I got motivated to give even more after having played against and seen how good oponents from countries such as Portugal, Spain and Mexico were.”
Fredrik Oppegård, Vålerenga and Norway U17
«During the easter of 2018, I was in Cascais, Portugal with NF Academy to participate in IberCup Cascais 2018. It was my first time with NF Academy, and a great experience. I got a lot from the trip. The training, matches, coaches and players were a fantastic mix of both fun and serious football.”
Filip Mellbin, Denmark U16
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