TY Programme
Our full-time Transition Year programme is designed for players who are serious about their football development. Taking place Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, the programme offers intensive daily coaching, tactical and technical development, and a structured academic timetable. Sessions are delivered by UEFA A and B licensed coaches and supported by professionals in areas like strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, and recovery. Players also receive mentoring, media training, and personal development guidance, reflecting the holistic nature of the programme. Participants compete in showcase matches and tournaments, gaining exposure to scouts and clubs both nationally and internationally.
ABOUT
TFA ELITE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME
Players in this program will benefit from the highest quality of coaching, instruction, world class facilities, resources, and opportunity to develop their skills, both on and off the pitch, helping them to bridge the gap with professional academies around the world.
As part of the program, our Transition Year students will train as professional footballers and combine academic subjects like Math and English with football coaching courses offered by the FAI as well as modules in Sports Science, Sports Pyschology, video analysis, media / interviews, and personal development. On a weekly basis they will have access to areas such as Player Fitness Testing, Player Position Specific Training, Strength and Conditioning Training , Speed, Agility & Quickness Development sessions, Sports Science and Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Pool Bases Recovery Sessions, Weekly Coaching Reports and Feedback, Special Guest Talks, Preparations in soccer and education curriculum vitae.
At TFA Elite, our mission is to develop high-performing young people through elite coaching, holistic education, and personal growth.
We provide a clear and supportive
pathway to top-level football while fostering academic achievement and strong character development.
Our environment prepares players not just for the game — but for life.
What makes TFA Elite truly different is that we are the only academy in Ireland offering a tailor-made educational programme specifically designed for young footballers.
Our academic structure aligns with national education standards but adapts to the demands of elite sport.
Players receive personalised learning support, flexible timetables, and one-on-one guidance to ensure they stay on track in the classroom while pushing boundaries on the training ground.
The Curriculum
At TFA Elite, we believe that elite football development and meaningful education should never be forced to
compete. Instead, they should work hand in hand. Our curriculum is designed as a seamless, three-stranded model
where football, academics, and athletic performance are fully integrated. Each day is built around the rhythm of a
high-performance lifestyle — with players training, learning, recovering, and growing in a balanced, structured
environment. This is more than just a school for footballers. It is a high-performance system that develops the full person: technically, intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
Football Curriculum
Our football programme is designed to mirror the best practices of top European academies.
Training is built around five technical and tactical terms, with each phase focusing on specific developmental outcomes. From technical skill development and in-possession play to defensive transitions and position-specific work, every session is designed with clear objectives and measurable progression in mind.
Our ultimate aim is to create players who are not only technically and tactically excellent, but who also think
critically, adapt quickly, and lead confidently within the game.
Academic Curriculum
What sets TFA Elite apart is our purpose-built education programme, designed specifically for young athletes in a full-time football environment.
While we align with national education standards, our approach is anything but conventional.
Every aspect of the academic day has a twin track approach ensuring that our players never have to choose between their sporting dreams and their educational future.
Students engage in core academic subjects including: English, Maths, Sports Science, and Leaving Cert PE.
Lessons are designed with context, relevance, and application in mind.
Athletic Development Curriculum
Physical preparation is a cornerstone of the TFA Elite model. Our athletic development programme is designed
to give each player the tools to improve strength, speed, mobility, and durability — while also protecting against injury and overtraining. Every player undergoes initial physical assessments to establish a baseline, followed by regular testing throughout the year to track progress. From there, players are given gym-based training plans tailored to their body type, growth stage, and positional demands.
We employ bio-banding to ensure players are developing in a way that is appropriate for their physical maturity, not just their age.
Director of Program
Tom Foody
Programme Director