Soccer is the world's most popular sport, and it takes a great deal of practice to develop good soccer skills. AFFC was started in 2009 by Jim Fox and Michael Curless to give kids on MDI more opportunities to develop soccer skills. The success of AFFC is evident during school soccer games since many of the AFFC players stand out for their foot skills and knowledge of the game. Not only did three AFFC players play varsity soccer as freshman in 2009, but all three scored goals for their varsity teams. Also two AFFC players have made the Maine state ODP team, with one them being selected for the Region 1 team.

All Acadia Fire teams in the past have been coed.

AFFC offers a soccer skills camp from November through December for players 11 years old or older. The AFFC Youth Academy for 6 - 11 year old players consists of three 8 week sessions that run in the fall, winter and spring. Tryouts for the U12, U14 and High School travel teams will take place in the middle of January with team practices beginning at the end of January. All teams practice indoors in local gyms during the winter. Each team typically meets one time per week after school and one time on the weekend. A few practice games are scheduled in Bangor on their indoor fields in February and March. Teams will practice outdoors starting in April two times per week. League games are scheduled in May and June. Some teams might choose to enter a tournament over Memorial Day and/or Father's Day weekends. The decision to enter a tournament will be up to each team to decide.

AFFC encourages players to have full lives and understands that players will miss some practices because of conflicts with basketball, baseball, softball, track and other extracurricular activities. Many players play both school sports and AFFC. It is important that players are committed to attending the league games in May and June. Most soccer practices are scheduled later in the afternoon after other school sport’s practices are finished.

Most AFFC teams participate in the New England Development League against teams from Northern Maine. Soccer festivals are scheduled in May and June. Teams play some games at Point Lookout in Northport. One festival is scheduled in Bar Harbor.

Overall, most AFFC teams have been very competetive with other teams in Maine. For example, last year's U12 team won almost all its league games.

All players that demonstrate good effort, focus and have generally good enough athletic ability will be chosen for a team. Some players might be selected as alternates, meaning they can practice with the team but might not play in every game depending on the number of players on the team.

There are no tryouts for players 6 - 11 years old. These youth players can sign up for the Academy of their choice--Fall, Winter and Spring. Tryouts for the U12, U14 and High School travel teams will occur in January. Please check back to the website in the fall for the dates, time and location of tryouts. If you have any questions, please call Michael Curless at 244-0454 or email him at acadiafirefc@gmail.com.

The late fall and summer soccer camps are great times to learn skills without the time commitment of playing on a team.