From beginners to experienced players — the skills academy will help you improve your soccer ability! BYSA Skills Academy is where players can develop real confidence, skill, and nurture their love of the game.
This program is Coed and runs for 6 weeks on Wednesdays from April 29 to June 3. It is for players in Grades 1-4.
- Grades 1/2 (Boys and Girls): Wednesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Grades 3/4 (Boys and Girls): Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Pricing: $100/player. $15 discount available for players currently registered on a Spring Travel Team.
Whether your child is stepping into soccer for the first time or a BYSA travel player looking to sharpen fundamentals, BYSA Skills Academy will provide the teachings necessary to improve.
Each session is created and ran by Professional Coaches. Each session is fast-paced, fun, and focused on individual development maximizing touches and repetition, providing guided-coaching, and providing opportunities for players to apply what they learn in realistic game play.
What Players Will Develop
- Ball mastery + advanced moves through high-touch training, that turns on the ball effort into technical skill
- Focused development that reinforces clean dribbling, passing, and ball control
- Smart decision-making in tighter spaces on the field in game-like situations
- Defending fundamentals— How to properly tackle, body positioning, and awareness to read the field
- Emphasis on improving weak foot skills through repeatable, coached progressions
- Change of direction, movement, and switching play to stay one step ahead during games
- Small-sided games at every session, where players can experiment, create, and compete
Why Sign Up for BYSA Skills Academy?
If you’re looking for a fun, high-energy, and development-focused soccer experience that helps players progress rapidly — while strengthening our coaching community — you’ll find it here. All players are welcome. All skill levels supported. Let’s grow together.
BYSA Skills Academy is powered by professional coaches, ensuring every session is built on proven methodology, positive instruction, and high-level player development. The program is led by John Barata, one of the region’s most respected coaches and coach educators.
Meet Coach Barata
For more than 20 years, Coach Barata has built development-focused programs that strengthen players, coaches, and communities.
As Head Coach of Oliver Ames Boys Soccer, he has guided one of the top high school programs in Massachusetts, with highlights including 4 MIAA State Championships, 12 Hockomock League Titles, and 12 United Soccer Coaches Academic Awards.
Barata is also the Founder of Beautiful Game Soccer Academy and Director of NEFC South, creating training environments that have supported more than 10,000 players.
He serves as a U.S. Soccer Coach Educator and national leader in coach development, helping volunteers and professionals grow the game the right way.
BYSA is proud to bring this level of teaching, care, and expertise to our families — so every player can learn, improve, and love the game.
Program Capacity and Waitlist Policy
Only 60 players will be able to participate in each timeslot. Registrations will be accepted first-come, first-serve based on date of registration and all remaining registrations will be waitlisted. Spots may open up if players drop or if we do not completely fill a time slot.