About Our Academy
A Year-Round Youth Soccer Development Academy
NextStepSoccer Academy is where young aspiring soccer players come for their soccer development year-round. Our Academy takes a special interest in our 3.5-5 year olds, which are placed in our "FirstStepSoccer" Program.” This program is where many of our players experience a soccer atmosphere for the first time. These athletes are our youngest in the Academy and are a joy to introduce the game to. Here, they are challenged with fun drills requiring them to think on their own (decision-making), and use both feet (insides, outsides, and bottoms). All drills are age-appropriate and achievable and intended to boost their self-confidence. When confidence is built, our students are inspired to take on the “NextStep”.
NextStepSoccer Academy always provides a fun, yet challenging environment for each age group and strongly believes in focused-repetition. Not only will each player be learning proper foot-skills; they will also be learning life-skills, which benefits them throughout their lives. We know young players learn at a faster rate in small groups; thus, our sessions are held to 12 players. There is a huge value of instilling proper foot-skills at an early age, and small groups allow our coaches adequate time with each player.
Meet The Coaches
Tia
Ferrando
Coach
Tia Ferrando, a native to Northern California, began playing soccer at a young age. Coached by her dad, Dan Ferrando, throughout her childhood she grew her love for the game. She continued playing into high school and community college and then onto the D2 level in South Dakota. She has coached youth soccer and taught in aftercare programs, and preschools. Along with her love for soccer, she loves working with children. All of this has led her to begin her career coaching youth players, helping them foster the same passion for the sport, all while having fun!
Dan
Ferrando
Founder & Coach
Dan Ferrando, founder of NextStepSoccer Academy in Northern California, has been coaching and running this business for 18 years. Dan has been involved in soccer all his life. As a young child, he spent his summers in Germany, learning the game from his grandfather. He's a Marin County, CA native who's been involved in soccer all his life. Dan played for SV Miesenbach 1919, a championship German youth team. He also played for coaching legend Steve Negoesco, at the University of San Francisco. It's from these experiences, as a youth player, that Dan created NextStepSoccer Academy. His goal is to instill these fundamental skills into his players; so if a player gains a love for the sport, they will be able to take it to whatever level they choose.