CURLLESS SOCCER ACADEMY
An AFFC Developmental Soccer Program for Ages 6–11
PLAY FIRST. WIN LATER.
Building exceptional soccer players and confident young people.
At Curless Soccer Academy, we believe ages 6 to 11 offer a unique opportunity to develop the technical skills, athletic coordination, and understanding of the game that form the foundation for future soccer success.
Our Academy combines high-quality soccer training with minimal pressure and travel, allowing children to pursue athletic excellence while enjoying the game and maintaining a healthy balance between soccer, family, and childhood.
Our goal is simple: to develop exceptional soccer players who are also confident, resilient young people.
WHY AGES 6–11 MATTER
These are important years for building the foundation of a young soccer player. Our Academy focuses on three areas of development:
HOW OUR ACADEMY WORKS
Curless Soccer Academy follows a structured developmental approach built around excellent coaching, individual improvement, and a genuine joy for the game.
THREE SESSIONS EACH WEEK
Two Professional Training Sessions: Focused technical development, progressive skill exercises, and athletic movement.
Saturday Practice Game: An opportunity to apply new skills, build confidence, and learn through meaningful competition.
A COMPLETE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCE
Advanced Soccer Foundations: Learning positional principles through guided coaching and small-sided games.
Meaningful Competition: Frequent competitive games without the pressure of league standings or immediate results.
Minimal Travel: No regular league play and limited tournaments, protecting time for family, school, and rest.
Personal Development: Building effort, creativity, discipline, resilience, and healthy self-worth.
Players are challenged to improve while receiving the support and encouragement they need to enjoy the process.
COMPETITION WITHOUT UNNECESSARY PRESSURE
Building Great Players and Confident Young People
Competition Is Not the Problem. Pressure Is.
Children naturally love to compete. Competition can motivate players, teach resilience, and make soccer exciting. But when winning, rankings, and team selection become the primary focus, children can begin to worry more about avoiding mistakes and pleasing adults than learning and enjoying the game.
At Curless Soccer Academy, we believe young players deserve the opportunity to pursue excellence without feeling that their worth depends on athletic success.
A Healthier Approach to Success
When children begin to connect their self-worth to performance, mistakes and setbacks can feel much bigger than they need to be. This can contribute to anxiety, fear of failure, perfectionism, and burnout.
We want players to understand that:
Their value is never determined by a score, a roster, or a performance.
Mistakes are an important part of learning.
Effort, creativity, and improvement matter.
Competition should challenge and inspire, not define them.
Our Philosophy
We maintain high expectations while offering unconditional respect and encouragement. Players are challenged to work hard, take risks, learn from mistakes, and pursue excellence.
Excellence is something children should be encouraged to pursue, not something they must achieve to feel valued.
We aren't eliminating competition. We're creating an environment where children can compete, develop, and love the game without unnecessary pressure.
MEET OUR ACADEMY LEADER
Michael W. Curless, Ph.D.
Founder of Acadia Fire FC | USSF A-Licensed Coach | Clinical Psychologist
Michael Curless brings together two lifelong professional passions: soccer and psychology.
With more than 40 years of soccer coaching experience and 25 years as a clinical psychologist, Michael has dedicated his career to helping athletes develop both on and off the field.
His soccer experience includes:
USSF A coaching license
High-level playing experience in the United States and Europe
Maine State Premier Coach of the Year, 2018
Author of Coaching Positional Soccer
Experience coaching players who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels
His background in clinical psychology brings an additional perspective to youth development. He understands how confidence, motivation, resilience, and a healthy sense of self-worth influence a young athlete's experience.
Curless Soccer Academy is the culmination of these two professions: combining high expectations, excellent coaching, meaningful competition, and a commitment to developing confident young people.
The goal is bigger than building better soccer players. It's building young people who believe in themselves.
JOIN CURLLESS SOCCER ACADEMY
A Place to Learn, Develop, and Love the Game
Curless Soccer Academy welcomes children ages 6–10 who want to learn, improve, and enjoy soccer.
No tryouts. No pressure to be an elite player. Just an opportunity to grow.
AGE GROUPS
Ages 6–7
Ages 8–10
Our goal is to offer separate age groups when enrollment numbers allow.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
WINTER SESSION
January 4 – March 6, 2027
No sessions during February school vacation.
SPRING SESSION
March 15 – May 22, 2027
No sessions April 19–23.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY
Ages 6–7: 4:30–5:30 PM
Ages 8–10: 5:30–6:45 PM
SATURDAY
Practice Games: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Players participate in two professional training sessions each week, plus Saturday practice games.
Schedule and group assignments are subject to change.
REGISTRATION & TUITION
$325 per session
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to play and develop. No child will be turned away because of financial circumstances.
For financial assistance or questions about enrollment, email:
READY TO GET STARTED?
We'd love to welcome your family to Curless Soccer Academy.
PLAY FIRST. WIN LATER.