Join the TW Braga Academy and embark on a rewarding journey filled with challenges, growth, and achievement. Our academy is committed to nurturing talent while fostering a strong sense of community, providing a supportive environment where players thrive both on and off the field. Guided by passionate, qualified coaches, we focus on developing character just as much as refining skills. At TW Braga, we strive for excellence with humility, teamwork, and a deep respect for the beautiful game.

TW Braga currently has 11 Boys teams, and 1 Girls team.

About us

TW Braga offers a comprehensive academy, providing top-class coaching and education to children while engaging in competitive weekly games. Our teams cater to children aged 6 and above.

Founded in 2013, TW Braga established a partnership with SC Braga in Portugal with a clear vision in mind: to create a club that transcends geographical boundaries in Northern Ireland and welcomes everyone. Our affiliation with a professional club adds to the elite level experience we strive to provide. At present, we proudly support a membership of over 100 individuals, offering them a social and physical outlet through the wonderful sport of football. Our diverse membership comprises individuals from various backgrounds, including Protestants, Catholics, and members from other nationalities such as Chinese and Polish. We even have players who have journeyed from as far as the USA and Canada to be a part of our community. Football’s universal appeal enables such connections to flourish. Alongside football, we organise life skill events that foster unity and interaction among different groups within our club.

 

Our primary goal is to develop players who possess the necessary skills and in-depth game knowledge to excel on the field. We aim to enhance their ability to play at a level that aligns with their individual needs, dedication, and commitment to the game. By providing top-class coaching and education, our players will gain the expertise needed to perform at their best. We believe in fostering a well rounded approach that considers each player’s unique strengths and aspirations, ensuring they can thrive in a supportive environment. Our focus is on equipping young athletes with the tools and knowledge required to succeed in football, empowering them to reach their full potential. We are dedicated to nurturing their passion for the game and guiding them to become confident and skilled players, capable of competing at a level that suits their ambitions and commitment.

TW Braga Core Values

At TW Braga, our values unite us and create a strong foundation for every player and team:

• Unity: Builds a sense of belonging and binds our players together as a family.
• Equality: Ensures every player stands on equal footing, fostering fairness and inclusivity.
• Accountability: Encourages players to embrace their roles and responsibilities within the team.
• Support: Establishes a commitment to help and uplift one another, both on and off the pitch.
• Teamwork: Provides a strong framework for collaboration, trust, and shared success.

Together, these principles inspire us to grow as individuals and as a team while embodying the spirit of the game!

TW Braga: Developing Leadership on and off the Pitch

At TW Braga, we believe in nurturing leaders who not only excel individually but also elevate their teammates and contribute to the collective success of the team. Leadership is defined as:

“The ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are members” (House, R. J.).

The Leadership Framework

Our leadership model emphasises these key traits and actions:

• Self-Awareness: Knowing your strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others.
• Vision: Seeing the bigger picture and understanding team goals.
• Clarity: Knowing what is required and delivering consistently.
• Confidence Building: Instilling belief and positivity in teammates.
• Trust Building: Acting with integrity and reliability to inspire trust.
• Commitment to Excellence: Maintaining high standards and ensuring quality.
• Communication: Sharing ideas effectively and encouraging open dialogue.
• Work Ethic: Consistently striving for improvement and dedication to the game.

Learning from Great Leaders

From past icons like Roy Keane, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, and Alan Shearer to modern leaders like Harry Kane, Jonny Evans, Virgil van Dijk, and Kevin De Bruyne, one common quality stands out: action-driven leadership. These players lead by example, inspiring their teams through relentless effort, discipline, and composure.

A Leader’s Journey

Leaders are not born overnight. Their reputation stems from experiences, consistency, and an unwavering desire to improve. At TW Braga, we aim to cultivate these qualities in every player, building not just skilled athletes but confident, resilient leaders ready to shine both on and off the field.

Game Management

At TW Braga we understand that you can’t expect the same things from a 7 year old as you can from a 15 year old. Therefore we have different ways of managing match days depending on the age group. Below is an example of U6 to U12.

Game Management (U6 to U12) – Pre-game, game, half time, game and post-game

Pre-game

• Coaches arrive 30 minutes prior to kickoff

• Set responsibilities with staff

• Consider the environmental conditions

• 5-15 minutes of actual warm-up [5 minutes U6/U7] – [10 minutes U8/U9] – [15 minutes U10-U12]

• individual warm-up [U6-U10]

• pairs [U8-U10]

• small group [U10-U12] (possession activities, directional games)

• Introduce goalkeeper into game/warm-up

• Introduce dynamic stretching to promote good habits

• Starting line-up

• Do not over-emphasise position and tactics

• Team huddle

• Final instruction / reminders – cheer!

Game

• Start game, sit down and enjoy the game

• Find a balance between the puppet master, cheerleader and silent “non-existent” coach

• Limit coaching!

• Be sure all players get equal playing time (especially up to U10)

• Be sure players get to play in different positions (especially up to U10)

• In the event of an unbalanced game, look for different ideas to even out the game

Half time

• Relax and hydrate

• Get on their level; be sure all players are looking at the coach (no distractions behind the coach including the sun). Move away from the parents / sidelines!

• Be sure that information is positive, emotions are under control and voice is at a controlled level.

• Sandwich approach of information (+ – +)

• U6-U9 – simple information

• U10-U12 – simple to complex (general to specific) with information, address basic principles rather than specific mistakes

• Communicate with staff prior to speaking with players

• Limit the amount of time speaking to your team (think about age of players and how long they can listen to the information)

• Substitutions

• Quick warm-up prior to starting second half

Post-game

• Shake hands (Coach must be a good role model by shaking the hands of referees, opposing coach and players)

• Check for injuries

• Brief cool-down stretch

• Stay positive regardless of the match outcome

• Snacks / drinks

• Reminder about next training session

• Be very brief after game and save discussions for the next training session

• Occasionally address the parents in a post-game discussion