The Socca Academy was founded and created by Darragh Heelan. Darragh's passion for football dates back as far as he can remember. From the age of four onward, he spent countless hours playing on the green outside his house, developing his love for the game. Darragh began his football journey in the Springfield Ramblers Academy. Him and his peers went on to win Leagues and Cups underage. He continued his footballing journey with Midleton, playing both Junior and Senior before moving to Cobh Wanderers, where he currently plays. 

In 2023, Darragh was honoured to represent Ireland at the 6-a-side Socca World Cup in Essen, Germany. His international journey continued with appearances at the 2024 Euro Cup in Chișinău, Moldova, and a third consecutive call-up for the 2024 Socca World Cup in Muscat, Oman.

As technology became more prevalent in children's lives, with PlayStations, iPads, and other distractions, Darragh started to notice fewer kids playing outside. While technology may not be the sole reason, Darragh was driven to encourage young people to stay active through football. His mission was simple: to get children of all abilities moving, playing, and enjoying the game.

With years of experience and a deep understanding of the game, Darragh is passionate about using fun and challenging training to help young players reach their full potential. This vision led to the creation of The Socca Academy, where the next generation of footballers can develop their skills and chase their dreams.