Nippers Academy

Nippers Academy

Formed in 1993, Malahide United Nippers Academy is the starting block for young children – both boys and girls. Our aim is to introduce the game of football through a fun, safe and enjoyable environment. The idea is to awaken an interest in football at an early age with importance being placed on fun and participation not to mention fair play.

Nippers AcademyThe format for the nippers is a fun warm-up, followed by fun drills and finishes with small sided matches.

To encourage the children, ‘Player of the Morning’ trophies are distributed to certain children in each age group, in recognition of their efforts and improvement.

It works out that all the children end up winning the ‘Player of the Morning’ trophy at some time over the season. The progress of the children during the season is fantastic.

The nippers train every Saturday (in most weather conditions!) on the all weather pitch in Gannon Park signing in at 9.25am and kicking off at 9.30am – 11.00pm beginning in mid September through until early May excluding a 4-6 week winter break and bank holiday weekends.

New places for the Nippers Academy will be offered out for every season from mid August right up until the season starts in mid September. New places will NOT be offered out for the upcoming season before mid August. Please note applications are held on a waitlist if numbers are oversubscribed. Looking after such a number of children and administration of the academy is no easy task and this is only possible with the help and dedication from our volunteers on the Nippers Committee and our volunteer coaches.

How to Join
Click here to complete the online Nippers Application Form.

We have put together answers to FAQ’s about the academy and the application process. Please take the time to read through before emailing the club with any enquiries.

The Nippers Academy administration and coaching team are all volunteers. It takes a lot of time and effort to manage and coordinate and because of this we will only be in the position to contact successful applicants before the start of any season. We will not be in a position to guarantee a reply to enquiries about the waitlist.

Completion of the Nippers Form does NOT imply admission to the club.

Online applications may be submitted from the January of the year when a child turns 4.

Any Online applications submitted for a child before that will not be held.

Children start at the Nippers Academy in the September of the year they turn five years of age (Jan-Dec).

The Academy is a two year academy with the age groups U6 and U7.

The Nippers Academy and leagues are based on the year of birth so it is of utmost importance that the correct date of birth is entered.

Copy of passport/birth certificate may be requested in accordance with league policies.

If you have submitted an online application and you are not offered a place i.e. have not heard from the club before the start of an eligible season please note there is no need to reapply. All applications are held on a waitlist if numbers are oversubscribed. It is important to note that attendance is monitored at the academy and places are offered out to the waitlist throughout the season if and when they become available.

In order for prospective eligible applicants to be considered for a place at the Academy for the start of any season we would strongly encourage all applications to be submitted online before the 31st of July. Applications received after this date may miss out on a being offered a place for the start of the upcoming season. Club fees and the registration process will always be advised to successful applicants once a place has been offered.

If you have any further enquiries Email: admin@malahideunited.com

Getting involved with the nippers can also prove to be a great starting point for any parent wishing to get involved in coaching. The club arranges FAI coaching courses for new and existing managers and run ‘coach the coach’ sessions throughout the season.

If managing or coaching a team is not what you want, there are many more ways for you to volunteer your services and to get involved.

Nippers Academy Contacts

PositionNameEmail
Head of CoachingAndrew Stenson086 863 0222
Nippers AcademyRay Kirby087 682 2000