About Us
NXT Gen Football
NXT Gen Football aims to develop the next generation of female footballers in Ireland.
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Founded by Darragh O'Reilly, an Irish UEFA A and Elite Youth A licensed coach with experience working at all levels of the game across 3 continents.​
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After playing a part in the development of countless players, including current male and female internationals, he has spent the past number of years predominantly in girls/women's football.
This passion for the female game led to the birth of NXT Gen Girls Academy.
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While women's football has exploded in recent years and player participation is at an all-time high, Irish players contact hours on the training pitch are way behind their peers in other countries.
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This has led to a growing demand for external supplementary coaching from both girls and boys.
However, first hand experience has highlighted that the number of girls attending mixed group sessions does not reflect the level of interest.
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We want to change this by providing a girls only programme and in doing so continue contributing to the development of female footballers of the future.
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And so, NXT Gen Football Girls Academy was born!
Our Coaching Method
Our Coaching Model
Our coaching model is based on skill acquisition theory and implicit learning.
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To develop skilled, creative and intelligent players we coach technique and decision making together.
Decision making is based on what the player sees (perception) and her technical ability to carry out the action.
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What a player sees is determined by her ability to interpret the game information but also her technical ability to carry out an action.
For example, a player who is not comfortable with her left foot will likely not see the opportunity for a left footed 1st time pass.
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The perception and action are connected.
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The graphic shows our coaching model for developing the next generation of skilled, intelligent players.
TECNIQ
Intelligent Technique
Our model is based on the belief that there is no single correct technique for each football action - eg. passing.
Each game situation is different just as each individual is different.
We view technique as interpretative and specific to how the player views any given situation.
We believe in developing the player's technical base (receiving, turning, playing off both feet) and focusing the player's attention to the game information (ball position, direction, other players) in order to find a solution in that moment.
The decision and action are developed together.
Intelligent technique - TECNIQ
CREATE / DENY
Game Concepts
Our CREATE / DENY game concepts are designed to develop the player's ability to interpret what they see and make better decisions.
Intelligent technique is dependent on the player's ability to assess the game information (ball position, direction, players).
Football is a complex game and the game information is constantly changing, every fraction of a second.
As players progress through each stage of their development the information changes quicker so the decision-action must be quicker.
We use our CREATE / DENY concepts as cues to help players frame what they see - eg. recognising the 3rd player concept in a 3v2.
Our aim is to develop intelligent, creative and skilled players.
Programmes
Development
Ages 9-11
60 minute session
Aimed at younger players early in their football journey.
The programme is designed to be age appropriate whilst challenging for this stage of development.
Sessions are in small groups (max 12) designed in 4 week blocks focusing on outplaying and intelligent technique - TECNIQ (see below)
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Academy
Ages 12-14
75 minute session
Aimed at players in the 12-14 age bracket at the next stage in their development.
This programme aims to further develop each player's perception and technical actions (TECNIQ) with an additional focus on understanding small group tactical concepts - CREATE / DENY (see below)
The Academy programme offers both weekly and twice weekly options.
Advanced
Based on assessment
75 minute session
Aimed at players at an advanced level and as such is based on assessment.
The programme is tailored for players currently playing at a high level relative to their age and peers.
Sessions are delivered in smaller groups (max 6) focusing on quicker perception & decision making through more complex CREATE / DENY concepts.
