The National Football Academy, commonly referred to as NFA, was a football academy in Singapore. It was established by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on 13 August 2000 with the aim of developing Singapore's most promising young footballers. Trainees were scouted through a systematic talent identification process before being given the chance to develop their skills under some of the best youth coaches in the country. With teams at every age level from Under-14 to Under-18, the NFA coordinates the development of young Singaporean footballers at a national level through the domestic league system, international youth tournaments as well as overseas training attachments.

The NFA Under-18 team was made up of promising Singaporean players under the age of 18 and served as a feeder team mainly to the Young Lions as well as other clubs in the S. League. The FAS enters both the NFA Blues Under-17 and NFA Reds Under-18 teams in the Prime League, the official reserve league of the S. League, to allow their players to gain more exposure and match experience by playing against older and more experienced players. The NFA Under-15 and Under-16 teams also participate in the annual Lion City Cup organised by the FAS since 2011.

The NFA was later renamed the FAS Football Academy (FFA). In a response to media queries in October 2019, the FAS stated as follows. “Moving forward, we will be working closely with the Singapore Premier League clubs, schools and academies to widen the base of elite players for selection towards the age-group national teams. We will also develop and administer standards for youth development, and most importantly, intensify our efforts to scout talented players for the national teams.”

The NFA effectively ceased to exist in 2019.

The NFA produced many graduates who went on to represent the Singapore national team.

NFA Under-15

NFA U-15 performance record at the Lion City Cup EditionYearPlacing 23rd 20113rd 24th 2012 6th 25th 2013 6th 26th 2015 4th

NFA Under-16

NFA U-16 performance record at the Lion City Cup EditionYearPlacing 23rd 2011Runners-up 24th 2012Runners-up 25th 2013 5th 26th 20153rd

NFA Under-17

The NFA Blues is based at the 3,200-seater Jurong West Stadium for its Prime League matches.

2014 Prime League squad

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NFA Under-18

The NFA Reds is based at the 3,000-seater Bukit Gombak Stadium for its Prime League matches.

2014 Prime League squad

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See also

Football in Singapore Football Association of Singapore Lion City Cup Young Lions Singapore national youth football team Singapore national football team

References