About Us

What is the NIGK Institute?

Based in Northern Ireland, The NIGK Institute is the leading light in goalkeeping development across the UK & Europe.

A full-time professional Goalkeeping Institute offering Goalkeepers of all levels & all ages the opportunity to be coached and mentored to the very highest level on a full-time basis.

Managed by Coaching Director Michael Dougherty, all sessions are carried out by a team of highly experienced GK Coaches.

Michael is a former professional Goalkeeper with over 20 years experience playing at the highest domestic level within the Irish Premier League as well as regular appearances in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Intertoto Cup & has been capped Internationally with Northern Ireland at the UEFA Regions Cup.

Michael is currently 1st Team goalkeeper coach at League of Ireland side Derry City having previously held similar positions at Irish League side's Larne & Crusaders.

Alongside his role as Lead Academy GK Coach at Rangers FC's advanced centres in Northern Ireland, Michael is currently Head Of Goalkeeping with The highly prestigeous NIFL Academy based at The National Stadium in Belfast, working with high preformance level Goalkeepers on a fulltime basis as part of the leagues elite football scholarship programme.

Michael spent 4 years with the Irish Football Association's Elite Performance Squads at 'Club NI' as lead GK Coach overseeing the day to day development of all Goalkeepers & GK Coaches within the programme while also working with the U-16, U-17 & U-21 Northern Ireland International Teams.

About The Institute:

The main aims & goals are to concern itself solely with the development of each & every individual goalkeeper who steps through its doors.　

Whether it is developing a young club level keeper , counselling a perspective high school keeper or furthering a professional career each keeper will receive the very best & closest attention , specific to their individual needs & requirements.

Why Choose NIGK?

Excellence in goalkeeping comes from learning the physical, technical, mental, tactical and psychological science of goalkeeping at the highest level and utilizing that to develop each & every individual you work with over the course of time to help reach their maximum potential.　

That is how our keepers are taught and trained.

'The NIGK' Goalkeeping Institute is catered toward both male & female goalkeepers aged 17-25.

We Offer:

A full-time goalkeeping programme based around that of the top EPL football clubs.

The opportunity to enter into further & higher education.

A path to the pros - including player & athlete representation.

Coach Education & Mentoring Workshops

Links to pro and semi pro clubs

Goalkeeping placements

Adult and Junior development programs

Grassroots and Junior Club Coaching

Holiday Course's throughout the year

Group Coaching

121 Coaching

Coach, club and player trips