The Friday Clinic takes place at Ballymena United FC for children aged 5-8 takes place from 2-3.30pm with another elite session taking place from 4-5.30pm for children aged 9-16.  There is also a Coaches Clinic that takes place from 6-9pm.

The Belfast Clinic takes place on the Sunday at Orangefield OB.  The session for children aged 5-8 takes place from 10-11.30am with another elite session taking place from 12-1.30pm for children aged 9-16.  There is also a Coaches Clinic that takes place from 2-5pm.

Watch a clip from last year’s sessions, simply click here.

Portuguese football has attracted huge amounts of media interest over the past number of years after hosting a successful European Championship in 2004.  Jose Mourinho then took centre stage before Ronaldo hit the form that attracted Real Madrid to part with £80 million to take him from Manchester United.

Back in the old days, with the Portuguese football legend, Eusebio, SL Benfica was the first team to break Real Madrid’s dominance in the European Cup.  They beat Barcelona (1961) & Real Madrid (1962) & after that they were 3 times runner up.  One of the biggest names in European football, they remain the most successful Portuguese teams with 31 League titles, 27 Portuguese Cups & 2 European Cups.

Book NOW & pay online from the Club Shop.  What a great opportunity to play the Benfica Way & learn more about the coaching set up & how to teach the game through the game!

SL Benfica Soccer School Academy Coach, Hugo Vicente, will be heading the staff presenting how they teach the game at the Portuguese & Academy!

‘The learning process, the methodologies & teaching strategies used by the SL Benfica Way is based on the thought that it’s more important to teach the young player ‘how to play’ using their decision making, technical & motoring skills at speed in game like situations.

‘Players like Rui Costa, Moreira, Manuel Fernandes or Miguel Vitor are a good example of the success of our mythology, developing the player’s qualities to the maximum so that they can perform at the top level, with top quality!

‘However, we believe that success is not measured only through the sporting results, but also, for the social & human development of our players.  It is our goal that our young players will always feel successful throughout their lives.  No matter their ability in the game, our training offers every young player the opportunity to live the dream & train like a Benfica player.

‘Our mission is to help players & coaches worldwide discover the SL Benfica Way.  Bringing the world’s largest club to you!

Hugo Vicente added, ‘We look forward to returning to Northern Ireland & meeting up with old friends while meeting new.  It is great that we have extended the programme this year to see more of Northern Ireland.’

Watch a clip from last year’s sessions, simply click here.
BOOK NOW!  Contact Tim Wareing by email or mobile, 077 4012 0788.
We thank Ballymena United FC & Orangefield OB for their fantastic support & use of facilities for these special events.

We asking former players to give it a go and one as only to look at referees currently in the Association to show how successful this as been with likes of Decky Grimes, Danny Colton, Kevin Taggart and Wesley Campbell to name a few.

Female referees are require with the development of women’s football and we have Clare Noble and Valerie McManus who currently have refereed three Irish Cup finals between them, so ladies register your name NOW!

Young referees really have a future in the game with likes of Stewart Blair, Tim Marshall, David Anderson, Luke Ormsby, Joshua Porter, John Graham, Damien Maguire and Andy Stevenson only some of those doing well.

The course will take place in the Bawnacre Irvinestown so you can REGISTER your NAME by sending email at fwrefs  don’t wait do it NOW! or phone Arnold on 028 66 387972

The referees will be giving a voluntary donation to the Charity and as in previous years this has been their match fee, and the Association Charity Co-ordinationer Valerie McManus has no doubt that members will give it their full support and appeals for the Clubs on the day to also add their support and donate towards National Deaf Children and help make their lives better.

Anyone involved in football wanting to support the Charity should make contact to either Valerie or drop into one of local games on Saturday and speak to the referee at that game.

Football matters first, Manager Declan Grimes had a squad of nine players to choose from with a good mix of youth and experience, in the opening fixture we where up against Mid-Ulster, A good opening performance from deckys boys running out comfortable 3-0 victory with goals coming from Damien Maguire, Peter Connolly and David Hamilton, excellently marshal at the back by Michael Connolly and Roy Beacom with keeper Taggart looking secure.

No rest between matches meant we where pitted straight back in again against Tony Youngs North West outfit. A calm and composed performance from the FWRA seen us record a 2-0 victory, opening goal by player manager Declan Grimes settled any nerves in the ranks and subs Peter Connolly and Hamilton where sprung from the bench just before half time and gave fresh legs to the attack, soon after Peter Connolly gave a good pass into Hamiltons feet and with his second touch thundered in the insurance goal for the victory.

Going into the final match against North East the FWRA only needed a draw to clinch the title the North East needing victory to deny us. The opening exchanges brought a goal for the North East when an uncharchestic mistake by Michael Connelly let in Cecil Foyle for a composed finish beyond the helpless Taggart in goal, this proved to be the spark Deckys team needed to kick start our game, with the temperature of the match rising a shocking late challenge from North East king pin Floyd left player manager Grimes on the “deck” in agony clutching his ankle in pain and leaving Referee Tony Young reaching for yellow when it could have been red, Declan having to be carried off and replaced by sub Hamilton.

With the half time whistle sounding it was all to play for in the second half, the defining moment of the game arrived within a minute of the restart when the lively Hamilton found Michael Connolly with a lovely through ball and the Aghyaran man making up for his earlier mistake with a fine finish low into the corner giving the North East Keeper no chance. The final minutes saw a flurry of yellows for defenders Farrell and Michael Connolly from Referee Young. Decky boys fought like beavers to hold unto the draw.

When the final whistle sounded victory was ours after a great team effort form the lads. Manager Grimes paid tribute to his men for there efforts to bring the title home for 2nd time in 3 years. Well done Declan Grimes, Roy Beacom, James Farrell, Luke Ormsby, Damien Maguire, Kevin Taggart, Peter Connolly, Michael Connolly and David Hamilton for bringing trophy back and special mention to Grimes for all his efforts.

All topics will be covered:

*Footwork & Handling
*Correcting your technique
*Diving (low & high saves)
*Dealing with crosses & through balls
*Perfecting your game
*Distribution (kicking & throwing)
*Shot Stopping
*GK Wars
*Speed & Accuracy Test

We will be using a mechanical Ball Launcher & Inflatable Target complete Speed Gun & Accuracy Targets to assist with several of the courses topics.

The fee for the course will be £30.00 per person and must be paid at registration on the first day.

All ages of goalkeepers welcome, boys & girls.

All goalkeepers attending the course ‘Must’ attend with gloves, shin guards, football boots & the correct training kit (including rain coat).

If you wish to attend this course email Alan@nigoalkeeping.com ASAP as there is a limited number of places available.

Monday 15th - Wednesday 17th February 2010.
Newforge Country Club, Newforge Lane, Belfast
With Goalkeeping Coaches: Alan Simpson, & Michael Dougherty
Monday: 10.00am - 1.00pm (registration 9.30)
Tuesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Wednesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm