3rd Grade Development Academy

Overview

The 3rd Grade Development Academy Takes Athletes to the Next Level.

Our Development Academy Program caters to highly motivated third graders who want to hone the fundamental skills, concepts, and athleticism needed to take their game to the next level. Participants demonstrate a passion for soccer, are excited about improving their skills, and seek an increased challenge to augment their Travel Team experience. Players train in a fun, safe, professional coaching environment.

We offer our limited spots on a first-come, first-served basis. Players that apply for the Academy and are not selected for a competitive team are invited to register for the 3rd Grade Development Academy 24 hours before registration opens to everyone. There are no tryouts for development teams.

The NEFC Newton Girls Academy Program is a part of NGS and combines the best aspects of professionally coached club soccer with the unique strengths and conveniences of Newton Girls Soccer. In addition to our development teams for Grades 1 – 3, we field competitive teams for Grades 3 – 8.

Registering for the 3rd Grade Development Academy does not guarantee players a spot on an competitive Academy team in the future. Each year, only the highest skilled players are invited to join the NEFC Newton Girls Academy Program after being assessed at an ID Clinic.

Candidate Qualifications

Parents should carefully consider their child’s readiness before registering, as the program falls on the more competitive side of the NGS Spectrum of Play.

An ideal candidate for the 3rd Grade Development Academy meets the following qualifications:

  • Registered for the NGS Travel program.
  • Highly motivated and seeking an increased challenge.
  • Has the drive and time to commit to an additional day of training on top of the twice weekly practices and a weekly game with their NGS parent-led Travel team.
  • Desires to play soccer with like-minded, competitive peers.
  • Does not play for another private club.  (A player CANNOT concurrently play for both a private club team and a Newton Academy or Development Academy team. This is a conflict of interest and not allowed by any league.)

Committment

Participants are expected to regularly attend Development Academy practices, in addition to their NGS Travel team commitments.

Participants will commit to three seasons: fall, winter, and spring.

Players will be on two teams

    • 3rd grade Development Academy professionally coached team (3-season training only)
    • 3rd grade Travel program parent-led team (fall and spring training and games)

2026 – 2027 Program Details

Participants

NGS 3rd graders who are highly motivated and seeking additional training to supplement their NGS Travel Team experience.

Pre-requisite

Players must participate in the NGS Travel Program to be eligible for the Development Academy.

Selection

There are no tryouts. All interested, qualified players may register for the program until it is full.

Roster Size

24 players

Coaches

Development Academy participants train with professional NGS coaches and high school counselors.

Curriculum

This program will develop confident, creative, competitive, and technically skilled players in a fun and supportive environment. Training focuses on ball mastery, dribbling, turning, first touch, passing, receiving, and finishing. Basic defending and attacking concepts are introduced in game-like situations that encourage decision making and teamwork.

Season Dates (tentative)

Fall: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 – Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Winter: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Wednesday, March 3, 2027

Spring: Wednesday, March 31, 2026 – Wednesday, June 9, 2027

No training when schools are closed.

Games

Development Academy teams are for training only.

Participants may participate in one tournament per season if there is sufficient interest. (Additional fee may apply.)

 

Fall / Spring Training

Participants train weekly on Wednesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 pm at Fessenden.

Winter Training (tentative)

One indoor, 60-minute practice every week on an evening TBD.

Training At Home

All participants receive a free subscription to the Techne Futbol Soccer Training App. This on-demand training app was crafted by a female pro soccer player to help players own their own skill development. Techne is designed to motivate players, build strong training habits, and facilitate a lasting love for the game. Its short, structured sessions focus on technical development and are easily completed at home.

Uniform

Uniforms are not included in the program fee.

Players wear a custom pink NEFC Newton Academy practice jersey. The jersey costs around $88 and is purchased through WeGotSoccer.

Numbers are assigned by the registrar.

Program Fee

$775.

Fee includes 3 seasons (fall, winter, spring) and covers all costs associated with the program features described above, except for uniforms.

An installment plan is available: $325 due at registration. $225 due in November. $225 due in March. You must provide a credit card for automated billing.

Refunds

Cancellations made by October 31 are eligible for a partial refund. $325 is nonrefundable. If fees were paid in full, $450 will be refunded. Players on an installment plan will have their $450 balance voided.

After October 31, there are no refunds unless the program is canceled, or the player has a season-ending injury. If a player has a season-ending injury or illness, she may receive a prorated refund. A note from a doctor must be submitted within two weeks of the injury.

Registration Dates

June – July

Registration is first-come, first-served and accepted until the program is full. Last year, the program was filled within days of registration opening.

Late registrants may join the waitlist.

  • Participants

  • NGS 3rd graders who are highly motivated and seeking additional training to supplement their NGS Travel Team experience.

  • Pre-requisite

  • Players must participate in the NGS Travel Program to be eligible for the Development Academy.

  • Selection

  • There are no tryouts. All interested, qualified players may register for the program until it is full.

  • Roster Size

  • 24 players

  • Coaches

  • Development Academy participants train with professional NGS coaches and high school counselors.

  • Curriculum

  • This program will develop confident, creative, competitive, and technically skilled players in a fun and supportive environment. Training focuses on ball mastery, dribbling, turning, first touch, passing, receiving, and finishing. Basic defending and attacking concepts are introduced in game-like situations that encourage decision making and teamwork.

  • Season Dates (tentative)

  • Fall: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 – Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    Winter: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Wednesday, March 3, 2027

    Spring: Wednesday, March 31, 2026 – Wednesday, June 9, 2027

    No training when schools are closed.

  • Games

  • Development Academy teams are for training only.

    Participants may participate in one tournament per season if there is sufficient interest. (Additional fee may apply.)

     

  • Fall / Spring Training

  • Participants train weekly on Wednesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 pm at Fessenden.

  • Winter Training (tentative)

  • One indoor, 60-minute practice every week on an evening TBD.

  • Training At Home

  • All participants receive a free subscription to the Techne Futbol Soccer Training App. This on-demand training app was crafted by a female pro soccer player to help players own their own skill development. Techne is designed to motivate players, build strong training habits, and facilitate a lasting love for the game. Its short, structured sessions focus on technical development and are easily completed at home.

  • Uniform

  • Uniforms are not included in the program fee.

    Players wear a custom pink NEFC Newton Academy practice jersey. The jersey costs around $88 and is purchased through WeGotSoccer.

    Numbers are assigned by the registrar.

  • Program Fee

  • $775.

    Fee includes 3 seasons (fall, winter, spring) and covers all costs associated with the program features described above, except for uniforms.

    An installment plan is available: $325 due at registration. $225 due in November. $225 due in March. You must provide a credit card for automated billing.

  • Refunds

  • Cancellations made by October 31 are eligible for a partial refund. $325 is nonrefundable. If fees were paid in full, $450 will be refunded. Players on an installment plan will have their $450 balance voided.

    After October 31, there are no refunds unless the program is canceled, or the player has a season-ending injury. If a player has a season-ending injury or illness, she may receive a prorated refund. A note from a doctor must be submitted within two weeks of the injury.

  • Registration Dates

  • June – July

    Registration is first-come, first-served and accepted until the program is full. Last year, the program was filled within days of registration opening.

    Late registrants may join the waitlist.