Football Academy "Impulse": the revival of sports traditions

Dilijan is a tourist center with unique nature and architecture, as well as a place where the modern football academy "Impulse" operates. The name "impulse" is very popular in Dilijan — this is the name of the old factory, sanatoriums and guest houses. In January 2023, a new "Impulse" appeared – the football academy, the name of which could not be different.

The fact is that the page of sports history associated with the football club "Impulse" began in Dilijan in Soviet times. The football club operated in 1985-1994, and then in 2009-2013. During its existence, the football club of the Impulse Academy played in the top division and in the Armenian Premier League, became the winner of the Armenian USSR Cup (1985), the champion of the First League (2009) and the finalist of the Armenian Cup (2011, 2012). In 2013, the club finally came to an end, to be revived 10 years later.

Now the children of the new football academy "Impulse" are playing and training again at the home arena of the football club "Impulse". The Academy was founded thanks to the activities of the Dilijan Development Fund (DDF) in the Dilijan Development Program launched by Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend in 2012. The strategy of the Impulse Academy includes a training program and the solution of social tasks: the development of the sports potential of local children and the popularization of sports in Dilijan.

The project has achieved significant results in 2 years. Russian and Armenian coaches work with the academy's students. The sports director of the academy, Alexander Golovenkov, has worked with children for many years at the Barcelona, Millennium United Moscow sport schools and the Istra Youth Sports school near Moscow. Another coach of the "Impulse", Narek Davtyan, is a native of Dilijan, a graduate of a local sports school and a former player of the Armenian Premier league in mini-football.

The Impulse Academy has developed an effective training program for different age groups, taking into account the level of skills and needs of the players. It will be interesting for beginners, as well as more experienced players. In addition to physical development and football skills, children and teenagers will be able to acquire leadership and teamwork skills, learn how to set goals and make decisions.

The academy has six age groups for children from 5 to 16 years old, there is also an adult team, which includes a women's team. Each age group is divided into two more mini-groups – more and less strong players to develop motivation among weaker players. There are two coaches in each age group, which makes working with children even more effective.

It is important to note that the club and academy accept children of all different levels of experience. The goal of the club is to help each child become a better football player through training and practice. After the initial session, the coach will determine which group would be most suitable for each child. Children's teams often play friendly matches against other teams from Yerevan and the Tavush region. In 2024, they will also participate in official tournaments organized by the Football Federation of Armenia.

Almost 200 children are currently studying at the academy, although initially only about 70 were expected. The academy aims to develop young players into members of its adult teams. The main men's team of the club already plays in the Armenian Amateur League. We hope that through the academy's efforts, it will be possible to rebuild a strong football team and instill a love for sports, especially football, among young people in Dilijan.