The FC Nelson Academy delivers a 36 weeks football development programme that plays a crucial part in the player development structure of the club.

Led by our qualified FCN Academy coaches we set out to create a highly competitive and challenging environment for our players to grow, develop and learn.  

Our curriculum is aligned not only with NZ football but also incorporates specific key aspects of our very own FC NELSON WAY of playing football.  

The playing philosophy, which sits at the core of our FCNA programme, has been developed under the NZ football TDP* guidelines in conjunction with core values and principles of the club and our high performance environment led by 1st team head coach Paul Brydon and Director of Football Tj Hansen. 

Our academy teams are on an aligned pathway, which ensures continuity throughout the development of the players. Coaches use similar terminology and speak with the same voice. Players are able to move between training squads seemingly without any problems. 

The aim is to continue and accelerate the development of our young footballers and to prepare them for the performance phase of their development when they will be required to perform in a competitive environment.  

The programme is aligned with our two pinnacle teams Men/Women 1st XI as well as the respective reserve teams and allows players (U17) to slide into the Senior environment when prepared and ready.

Academy teams will be given several opportunities to represent the club on different occasions, i.e. Christchurch International Cup (or similar), tours to Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland.

*TDP - talent development programme

FC Nelson Academy trials

Trials for our three academy teams are coming up...

These trials are open to everyone interested in playing for one of our academy teams.

 Training sessions are 4 - 5.30pm @ Neale Park

Trials: Feb 8th, 13th, 15th

Squad selection and normal training (Tue/Thu 4 - 5.30pm) after Feb 15th.

Teams:

U13 (born 2011)

Coach - Tj Hansen

U14 (born 2010)

Coach - Danny Anderson

U15 (born 2009)

Coach - Davor Tavich

Players interested in the academy outside of the "age range" are welcome but will need approval from our Director of football.

Contact us via tj@fcnelson.co.nz with any queries.

2024 ACADEMY STRUCTURE AND COACHES:

U13 / U14 / U15

Coaches in 2024:

Tj Hansen

Davor Tavich

Kris Main

Danny Anderson

The FC Nelson Academy runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays - 4.00-5.30pm at Neale Park.

TERMS 1 to 3 - 2 days per week - Tuesday and Thursday

TERM 4 - 1 day per week - Tuesday

AGES - U13, U14, U15, U17

**  Trial training Week Feb 8th, Feb 13th, Feb 15th **

TERM ONE (two days per week - Tues, Thurs):

Start:                       Thursday 8th February 2024

End:                         Thursday 11th April 2024

                                 Note: There is no training on public holidays

TERM TWO (two days per week - Tues, Thurs):

Start:                       Tuesday 30th April 2024

End:                         Thursday 4th July 2024

                                 Note: There is no training on public holidays

TERM THREE (two days per week - Tues, Thurs):

Start:                       Tuesday 24th July 2024

End:                         Thursday 30th September 2024

                                 Note: There is no training on public holidays

TERM FOUR (one day per week - Tues):

Start:                       Tuesday 16th October 2024

End:                         Tuesday 17th December 2024

                                 Note: There is no training on public holidays

Times:                      All Grades - 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm                     

Venue:                      Neale Park

Fee:                          $170 per Term

Registration:           Fill in the form below to register for the current term

Your child will need the following items:

• Shin pads – these are compulsory (safety reasons)         
• Football socks
• Shorts  
• Football boots
• Water Bottle

PAYMENT:

Places are not confirmed until payment is made.

Please pay through stripe using the Registration Link

Training squads are selected.  Players that want to join later in the year will be given the chance to come in for a few training sessions and trial for a spot in the academy.

Players not selected initially will receive feedback, support and will be monitored going forward and reintroduced into the academy space when ready.

Note - Selection is based on general ability but even more so on attitude! 

 ** The academy is open for both boys and girls. So we encourage especially interested girls to come down to training. If we end up with sufficient numbers to create a girls only training squad, we will. Otherwise selected girls will train with the boys. 

 (Unless otherwise communicated). Sessions can be normal “on grass” sessions, white board, video analysis, Strength and Conditioning, Yoga and or games against other Academies. Some (additional) sessions will fall out of the usual Tues/Thurs schedule. We aim to communicate any changes to the schedule with enough notice.

Academy apparel is available through the club shop - https://interfootball.co.nz/collections/fc-nelson-academy

We have established pathways and relationships that reach beyond FC Nelson, which allow players to take their football to the next level. Our key pathways are with Wellington Phoenix and Mainland Football.

The FC Nelson Wlg Phoenix Pre-Academy Centre 8 - 13yrs and our Fun Football (Skill Centre 5 - 7yrs) are at the base of our Junior and Youth Development structure, which feeds into our Academy.

Any questions please contact Tj Hansen our director of Football at tj@fcnelson.co.nz 

GK coach - Paul Evans (on GK C license course)