BIOGRAPHY
Ricardo Damas has a background as a trainer for younger academy teams and scouts in Portuguese top clubs. Among other places, Damas has been in clubs like Sporting CP and SP Braga.
During Ibercup Cascais 2018, he led the 2006 team of NF Academy. As a head coach in the NF Academy selections program, he focuses on developing young players.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY
Believe that football is taught by playing. We must relate all exercises to the game and train with high intensity. Coach feedback should always be to help players understand what we are looking to improve individually and collectively.
EXPERIENCE
Coach at Manchester United football school
Coach at Sporting CP youth teams
Coach at SL Benfica youth teams
2 years at NF Academy as a Coach
Scouter at SC Braga
With a Degree in Sports Science at Universidade Técnica de Lisboa – Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, with specialization in football. He has been working in youth football for over 15 years.
Currently, in addition to the NF Academy, he collaborates with several projects and is in the scouting department of SC Braga.
Train with Ricardo in these programs
International Programs
NF Academy creates opportunities throughout Europe for players to participate in training camps and in tournaments.
NF International
Qualify for a training camp with Sporting CP.
NF Club Experience
Travel to Lisbon for a week and experience how Portuguese clubs train.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SOCCER
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RICARDO ON MEDIA
OTHER INFORMATION
NF Virtual Academy
NF Virtual Academy gives players unique access to personal coaching by an NF Professional coach. In our one- or three-month programs, players will get weekly physical, technical and theoretical training challenges and exercises from the coach. Each player will also receive individual follow-up and feedback in a weekly video consultation to evaluate the training and improvement areas for optimal progression.
METHODOLOGY
We work by the principle «to teach the game by playing it». Our exercises are therefore developed to recreate the intensity and complexity that the players experience in the different situations of the game. The sessions are of high intensity, many involvements with the ball, focus on taking the right decisions and giving the players a better understanding of the game.
In all of our activities, our main objective is to develop the player. For the players that wants to train regularly with NF Academy we focus on the following:
- Intensive training designed for player development.
- Individual follow up over time.
- Training adapted to the level of the player and their goals for learning.
- Play games against teams that gives the players sufficient challenge to increase their level as a player.
Local Programs
NF Academy has a clear vision of contributing to develop more international top-players. Through our local training camps, we are going to give players valuable learning that they can bring back to their daily training.
Have a look at the overview of all of our events here.
International Programs
As an international football academy, NF Academy creates opportunities throughout Europe for players to participate in training camps and in tournaments. These are great opportunities for players to develop their skills in a competitive environment, where they can face well-known international teams like Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Zenit, or even train with Sporting CP coaches in Lisbon.
| Date | Program | Country | Place | Age Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 - 07 Jul 2024 | NF Selection Tallinn Cup | Estonia | Tallinn | 2013-2008 | |||
| 15 - 25 Jul 2024 | NF High Performance | Portugal | Rio Maior | 2009-2006 | |||
| 29 Sep - 05 Oct 2024 | NF Elite Training Camp Week 40 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2009-2014 | |||
| 06 - 12 Oct 2024 | NF Elite Training Camp Week 41 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2009-2014 | |||
| 13 - 19 Oct 2024 | NF Elite Training Camp Week 42 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2009-2014 | |||
Have a look at the overview of all of our events here.
Testimonials
«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 call-ups, 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 some very good players and trained under very competent coaches. First and foremost, it was a great experience, and I got a good reference for 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 opponents 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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