Naas Sports CentreCaragh Road, Naas, W91 TE29
CONTACT US: [email protected]
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN NAAS • AGES 5 TO 8NAAS AFC
JUNIOR ACADEMY
Where young boys and girls in Naas take their first steps in football in a fun, safe, and supportive community environment
The Naas AFC Junior Academy is the premier grassroots football introduction for boys and girls aged 5 to 8 in Naas, Co. Kildare. Every Sunday morning at Naas Sports Centre on Caragh Road, our youngest players learn fundamental movement, balance, coordination, and ball mastery through fun, small-sided games.
Sessions run at 09:45 during the winter months and 08:45 in summer, led by Garda-vetted volunteer coaches under the guidance of our UEFA-licensed coaching staff and FAI Club Mark safeguarding standards.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT CARAGH ROAD
At Academy level (ages 5–8), development is all about enjoyment, confidence, and friendship rather than scores or league tables. Every player is celebrated at our annual November Awards Ceremony alongside our non-competitive and girls’ squads.
FAI PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PLANPATHWAY FROM ACADEMY TO KDUL
A structured step-by-step football journey for every child in Naas
Our Junior Academy is the foundation of the Naas AFC player pathway. Split into dedicated U5–U6 and U7–U8 age groups for both boys and girls, every session is tailored to each child’s stage of physical and social development so newcomers and confident players alike thrive at their own pace.
At ages 5 and 6, playful agility games and ball-familiarity activities help children feel at home on the pitch. At ages 7 and 8, players transition into 4v4 and 5v5 small-sided games that encourage lots of touches on the ball, dribbling, passing, and teamwork with zero competitive pressure.
Graduates of the Naas AFC Academy progress smoothly into our U9–U11 non-competitive small-sided section across Kildare before entering full competitive squads in the Kildare and District Underage League (KDUL) from U12 upward. For Academy enquiries, contact [email protected].
NAAS AFC ACADEMYHOW OUR ACADEMY WORKS
Four pillars of grassroots youth football development at Naas Sports Centre, Caragh Road.
STAGE 1 • AGES 5–6FUN & FUNDAMENTALS
Play-based Sunday sessions in Naas focusing on agility, balance, coordination, and getting comfortable with the ball at their feet.
STAGE 2 • AGES 7–8SMALL-SIDED GAMES
Age-appropriate 4v4 and 5v5 games introducing passing, dribbling, spatial awareness, and teamwork without competitive pressure.
FAI CLUB MARKVETTED COACHING
Coached by Garda-vetted, safeguarded volunteers mentored by Naas AFC’s UEFA-licensed head coaches at Caragh Road.
AGES 9+ PROGRESSIONPLAYER PATHWAY
Seamless progression from our Sunday Academy into U9–U11 small-sided squads and U12–U19 KDUL competitive football.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN NAAS AFC?
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