Jamie Smith, Head Coach of the KDUL academy.

Welcome to the KDUL Academy. We at the Academy undertake to improve every player who joins the Academy regardless of the length of time they are with us.  Our concentration is on improving the individual player from a technique and game intelligence perspective. At under 13 and 14 we introduce the players to basic team tactics and player/position roles and responsibilities. We help our players understand the issues around fitness, wellness and nutrition and the players are introduced to age specific gym training. We also offer professionally run gym classes 4 nights a week from under 12 upwards.

We coach the players using Guided Discovery to create a fun stress free learning atmosphere. Our coaches are very aware of the importance of the holistic development of children the importance of developing self- esteem. There is no focus on competition up to under 13 and then the importance of competing increases but is still secondary to development.

We are delighted to introduce Coever Coaching for under 9,10 and 11 age groups  into the KDUL Academy. This method of coaching will not only improve the standard of young players in the academy but also improve the standard of the league. Having expierenced Coever Coaching first hand with one of the founding members of Coever,  Alf Gulfstein, whilst playing for Newcastle United I found this coaching method to be excellent and I am looking forward to implenting this at the KDUL academy.

As an Academy we would like to ask you, as parents, to step back and let us work with the players to help them be the best they can be. You will find our coaches approachable if you have questions but we ask you to be the parent, not the coach.

We welcome the exciting link ups with St Patricks Athletic, Everton and (Brighton for the Klub Kildare players). This will ensure our best players get a chance to progress in the game and get a chance to play against top level opposition.

Finally please remember all players develop at different rates and some may not be selected for Academy squads at under 12 onwards as we have limited capacity. This however does not mean they will not develop as they get older. How a parent handles this situation is very important to protecting the players self esteem.    

Again we hope your son or daughter has an enjoyable learning experience with us at the KDUL Academy.

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-"Jamie Smith Director of Coaching KDUL"