St Francis Football Club Academy continuing to flourish in Baldonnel
THE ACADEMY in St Francis FC is going from strength to strength despite the difficulties posed by the Covid 19 crises.
Indeed average numbers attending each week have grown from 25 to 40 children between the ages of 4 and 7 years.
St Francis Football Club members Scott with Finn, Kane, Tommy, Matthew and Shay
Defender Simon Madden, who has played at League of Ireland degree for the likes of Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic is one of 10 coaches who oversee the academy at John Hyland Park.
“The academy is all about kids having fun in a safe and enjoyable environment” Madden told The Echo.
“It has been run for the last 15 years by parents and volunteers and over the last few years we have made massive improvements.
“All our coaches have done their PDP1 coaching course while they have been Garda vetted and completed their safeguarding course and we have put a lot of investment into equipment so every kid can improve their skills.
“We are just about to finish building our brand new gym beside our astro pitch.
“The gym will be able to hold up to 20 players and is essential for them to be able to work on their fitness and football conditioning.
“It will also be used to help all our younger members from ages six and up to improve all their motor skills.
“Nutrition is also key in people’s lives so we’ll be educating all our members on how important nutrition is not only in football, but in daily life.
“It is so important, especially in these hard times, that we keep children training and having fun. Children need to be out exercising, whether its football or running or whatever they enjoy doing to keep their confidence and self esteem high” he stressed.
St Francis fields more than 22 teams and are always looking for new players, boys and girls, to join as well as new coaches male and female.
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