FK Vilnius football academy

While everyone aims at victories in sports, it doesn’t matter how many medals children win at such a young age. The main priority is child’s development.

Winning by any means is not our goal. We teach kids to befriend the ball, as well as aim at developing their teamwork and communication skills. In addition, we promote and encourage active and healthy lifestyle.

We are a football school that helps children to improve not only on the field but also outside of it. We aim at developing personalities who are strong and mature even without their football shirts. It’s a school of life, not only football.

The best football teams are not created in a week, a month, or a year. It requires a vision, a plan, a long-term approach, and an ambitious action. At the FC Vilnius football academy, we take a strategic approach towards our work.

Our football training is much more than just usual football training for children. Whether it is a football exercise or a simple run, all tasks are created according to a strategic plan and goals. To ensure that coaches do not deviate from the course, they are supervised by a technical director.

Our focus is on quality rather than quantity. In order to get more attention for each child, one coach usually trains a smaller number of children. The fact that the coach is assigned only certain age groups, the specifics of which they know the best, does make work more efficient. While developing the four main aspects of the game – technique, tactics, physical and psychological preparation – we always consider the differences of various age groups.

Children aged 5-8 wish to play first. Fun games are the foundation of any training. Children are taught responsibility and teamwork, with an emphasis on individual exercises.

From 9-12 years, we pay more attention to technique, simple tactical actions, understanding the game, improving speed and coordination.

Soccer balls, goals, shoes, attire. Referee whistle, coach watch. We are used to seeing these attributes on the field; however, a modern coach needs to have so much more.

FC Vilnius has modern equipment. While creating our training plan, we rely on the training methodology and consultations of the well-known football star forge – the Anderlecht Club Academy in Brussels.

The training analysis is assisted by XPS „Sideline sports“ sports tools, which are also used by the technical staff of well-known European football clubs and national teams.

The world is becoming more open and those who adapt quicker and smoother to such changes, will enjoy better future. English language skills are essential in today’s world, so we tend to develop them in our football training, since some of the classes are held in English.

We aim to learn from other cultures, from different countries; therefore, football coaches from countries famous for football have been a part of our team. Their attitude, ideas diversify children’s daily lives, broaden their horizons and enrich us.

When we look at football stars on TV, we all too often forget that football, above all, is a simple and fun game.

Football needs to bring fun for children. They have to enjoy the play and be safe in their environment. This kind of approach helps them love sports, so instead of ‘working’ on the field they can actually enjoy the game. Therefore, in training, they are given a lot of time to spend with the ball.

Respect for a child boosts their desire to improve and to achieve goals. A screaming coach is a terrible example. A good coach needs to find other ways to engage in dialogue with children.

We ensure that our coaches adhere to these core values, and we strive for the same values from the environment. Therefore, we have rules not only for coaches, but also for parents.

On the football field, everyone performs their function – players play, coaches train, referees judge. Parents or loved ones should show support, not hinder them. Their most important role is to motivate children.

We want to break the stereotype that football is an exclusively male game. Football is for everyone. No doubt that girls and women want and can play football. Unfortunately, they are not always and everywhere provided with the possibility to do that.

Most of Lithuanian football schools and academies focus only on male football, whether that is football training or a football camp.

Girls and women football has an essential place in our club’s structure.

Girls under 12 play football together with boys in mixed groups or separately from boys. It is the girl’s and parent’s choice. They have free will to decide in which group girls wish to train.

Girls have an opportunity to become a member of our FC Vilnius girls football academy and play in Lithuanian football federation domestic football leagues.

Probably many have had a chance to see or at least hear stories about coaches who just “stand still” during football training by simply dropping the ball to the kinds and do this work only for the money.
FC Vilnius was established on a private initiative, not for financial purposes, but rather carries a social mission. That is our main motivation. We set high standards for ourselves and encourage others to follow the example.

Our team is made up of young and energetic coaches and administration. They are passionate about football and see this sport more than just a game, but as an important part of their life.

Volunteers who are like-minded people also contribute to our activities. We consider this to be almost the most important evaluation of our work. We are deeply grateful to them.