Who: Children ages 6 – 10/11

When: Three 8 week sessions, Fall, Winter, Spring

Where: Bar Harbor YMCA Gym (mostly)

Academy Director: Michael Curless

AFFC’s Academy Program provides young children a safe and fun environment to learn essential soccer skills and tactics. The program is run by Michael Curless, a nationally licensed coach with over 20 years of coaching experience. The Academy Program is divided up in to three sections over the course of the school year. Players can sign up for one, two or all three sections. Soccer skills and tactics are taught through fun and creative drills and games that teach the player to play at a high level.

During the Fall Academy Program players will focus on learning essential soccer skills; dribbling, passing and shooting. Coach Curless ensures that each child learns how to do skills ‘perfectly,’ since the foundation of a great player is a feeling of confidence with the ball.

The Winter Academy Program will continue to reinforce soccer skills while introducing tactics of team play through small sided games. Players will learn passing and trapping skills and game tactics that help their teams keep possession of the ball.

In the Spring Soccer Academy players will be placed into teams that will compete against some of the best players in Maine in a regional soccer league.

Players interested in one or more of the Academy can register here. Academy slots are limited.