NF High Performance was Oskar's path to a football adventure in Portugal

NF High Performance became Oskar’s path to a football adventure in Portugal

Published on: 22/09/2022
Oskar Nielsen training in NF High Performance in Portugal
Oskar Nielsen training in NF High Performance in Portugal

NF High Performance became Oskar’s path to a football adventure in Portugal

The High Performance program was the best NF Academy training camp ever. For Oskar, it was the beginning of a training and matchday at CF Belenenses, while The Oslo boy Hedin took his next step in his career.

NF High Performance is an elite gathering for players who want a complete training experience at the Rio Maior Sports Center in Portugal, former official training facility of the Portuguese national team.

A player development initiative that topped everything NF Academy director João Plantier had previously seen.

It was the best training camp we’ve had so far in the NF Academy Both on the basis of fantastic conditions, and the quality of the playing group. After the program, we had several players who were recruited to Portuguese clubs on a permanent basis, NF academy director João Plantier started.

Oskar Nielsen training in NF High Performance in Portugal
Oskar Nielsen training in NF High Performance in Portugal

NF High Performance became Oskar’s path to a football adventure in Portugal

The High Performance program was the best NF Academy training camp ever. For Oskar, it was the beginning of a training and matchday at CF Belenenses, while The Oslo boy Hedin took his next step in his career.

NF High Performance is an elite gathering for players who want a complete training experience at the Rio Maior Sports Center in Portugal, former official training facility of the Portuguese national team.

A player development initiative that topped everything NF Academy director João Plantier had previously seen,

It was the best training camp we’ve had so far in the NF Academy Both on the basis of fantastic conditions, and the quality of the playing group. After the program, we had several players who were recruited to Portuguese clubs on a permanent basis, NF academy director João Plantier started.

Impressed by Oskar

NF High Performance is a combination of training sessions and friendlies against Portuguese top academy where you get references against some of the best youth teams in Europe. Portuguese scouts follow the matches closely. It was crucial for several of the players of NF Academy.

Oskar Nielsen from Denmark has over the past four years participated in a number of international NF Academy programs. The 2004 player impressed so much during the training match against the U17 team of Belenenses, that the Portuguese top club wanted him into their youth department.

The midfielder has become part of the under-19 team of the top league club based in Lisbon. Where Sporting and Benfica are the two big clubs.

High Performance was a great experience. We learned what it was like to train and eat like a pro, with great facilities and fantastic workouts. We had two sessions each day, and had a lot of social activity on the side. We had many meetings where we learned about the mental part, and also about diet.

The three games were also a great experience and a great challenge. There was a high level of coaches and good friendship in the playing group, says Oskar Nielsen.

He has moved to Lisbon and is a big step closer to his dream.

“In the short term, my ambition is to play my way into the starting eleven of the under-19 team. Next year I want to be in the first team, or play under-23s at another club here in Portugal. The dream is to play professionally and earn enough to make a living from football without having to have a job next door” Oskar said.

Everyday training is different from what he is used to back home in Denmark.

I like the Portuguese style of play very much. It’s very fast and physical and they like attacking football. Right now we have five practices a week, where Monday and Friday are very tactical and specific before a game or coming from a game.

Thursday, Wednesday and Tuesday are high intensity training, says Oskar Nielsen

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Oskar Nielsen in NF Academy
Oskar Nielsen in NF Academy
Hedin Skoe playing for NF Academy
Hedin Skoe playing for NF Academy
Hedin Skoe training in gym in Portugal
Hedin Skoe training in gym in Portugal

Professional experience

Nielsen and the other participants during NF High Performance had a program close to a full professional everyday life.

“The quality of the training was fantastic. With video analysis of the sessions and matches. Individual meetings, training sessions and physical skills analysis as well as matches against Portuguese top teams. There were also five different speakers who talked about diet, physical exercise, mental health, the transition from youth football to senior and what it’s like to be a professional. A complete professional experience for the players.” says NF Academy Director João Plantier.

He also saw the Oslo boy Hedin Skoe take new steps in his development after having participated in several programs.

The first time I trained with NF Academy was at NF International at Kolbotn at the end of July 2021. Later I was asked if I wanted to join the NF Elite Training Camp in Lisbon. It was a very nice and educational week, where we trained at Sporting’s academy. After this, I was invited to join NF Selection – Ibercup Cascais.

It was a high-level cup, where we faced good Portuguese teams, hedin Skoe started.

The 16-year-old is now taking the step to KFUM-Oslo after spending another stay in Portugal with NF Academy.

NF High Performance Camp was a highlight. An incredibly good scheme that had it all. Good players from all over the world, inspiring speakers, a great training facility and not least a fantastic coaching team. In addition, we played three friendlies against very good Portuguese teams. Ten eventful days that far exceeded my expectations. After my Rio Maior stay, I trained for a week with Oeiras U17, and with physical trainer Tomás Machado.

It was very exciting to train with a Portuguese national team, and have a physical coach who has coached Rúben Dias and João Félix, among others, tells Skoe.

Who continues to work towards the big dream.

“I have ambitions to play professionally at a high level. I also have some goals along the way, and I am lucky enough to have a good coaching staff around me.” concludes Hedin Skoe.

UPCOMING NF ACADEMY EVENTS

Date Program Country Place Age Group
08 - 12 Jan 2025 NF Selection Riga Cup Latvia Riga 2010
16 - 19 Jan 2025 NF Selection Riga Cup Latvia Riga 2011
22 - 26 Jan 2025 NF Selection Riga Cup Latvia Riga 2008-2009
30 Jan - 02 Feb 2025 NF Selection Riga Cup Latvia Riga 2012
05 - 09 Feb 2025 NF Selection Riga Cup Latvia Riga 2013
16 - 22 Feb 2025 NF Elite Training Camp
Week 8
Portugal Lisbon / Estoril 2010-2016
23 Feb - 01 Mar 2025 NF Elite Training Camp
Week 9
Portugal Lisbon / Estoril 2010-2016
12 - 17 Apr 2025 NF Selection Costa Daurada (BOYS) Spain Salou 2009-2014
12 - 17 Apr 2025 NF Selection Costa Daurada (GIRLS) Spain Salou 2007-2010
17 - 21 Apr 2025 NF Selection Future Cup Sweden Gothenburg 2008-2015
14 - 24 Jul 2025 NF High Performance Portugal Rio Maior 2009-2006
28 Sep - 04 Oct 2025 NF Elite Experience Fall
Week 40
Portugal Lisbon / Estoril 2010-2016
12 - 18 Oct 2025 NF Elite Experience Fall
Week 42
Portugal Lisbon / Estoril 2010-2016
26 Oct - 01 Nov 2025 NF Elite Experience Fall
Week 44
Portugal Lisbon / Estoril 2010-2016

Check the complete Event Calendar here.

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