What to Expect at Your First Dragon Academy Session

Starting somewhere new can feel daunting — for kids and parents alike. We want your first session at Dragon Football Academy to feel relaxed, welcoming, and fun. Here's a rundown of what to expect.

Arriving at the Session

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the session starts. This gives your child time to get comfortable, meet the coaches, and have a kick-about before we begin. Coaches will greet you on arrival and make sure your child knows where they're going.

What to Bring

Trainers (not boots), shin pads, a water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing. During the summer we train on the astroturf, and for the rest of the year sessions are held indoors in the sports hall — so trainers are the right footwear year-round. We provide all the footballs and equipment.

The Session Format

Every session follows a similar structure: a warm-up to get the body moving, a technical block where we focus on a specific skill, a small-sided game to apply what we've worked on, and a cool-down. Sessions are structured but always kept enjoyable.

Our Coaching Approach

We focus on encouragement over criticism. Every child develops at their own pace and our coaches are trained to meet players where they are. We celebrate effort, not just ability.

After the Session

After the session, coaches are always happy to chat with parents about how their child got on. We'll also let you know what we'll be working on next time so your child can practise at home if they want to.