Curaçao Soccer Academy
The Fundashon believes that a structural approach is required to truly develop young talent. When it comes to sports, it involves a lot more than just training. Curaçao Soccer Academy (CSA), started in 2012, is an invaluable after-school program designed to offer talented young soccer players between the ages of 9 and 13 the opportunity of becoming top athletes. At the Academy we want to help young talent to develop the personality of a top player by focusing on mentality, discipline and endurance. A top player must also be able to move in all kinds of social circles, that’s why the development of social skills is an important part of the CSA curriculum.
The players train in a special program focused on the developmental phase the group is in. All infrastructural conditions are in place: all players are provided with uniforms, soccer shoes and recreational outfits. A sports physician and two physiotherapists continuously monitor the condition and health of the players.
Curaçao Soccer Academy is not a soccer club. The selected players remain with their local clubs and train and participate in the youth competition with those clubs. The selected youth players are picked up at school and transported to the training center three to four times a week. After a balanced meal, composed by a nutritionist, the players do their homework or join in social sessions. If so required, remedial teaching is also available. Soccer may be important, but their school careers come first. When all is done, the training begins.
The development of athletic talent is at the core of this program but projects like these also afford less fortunate children infinite growth; both as individuals with a better sense of self and self worth, as well as contributing members of their society, these children will generally stay out of trouble and lead positive lives, not to mention reap the obvious physical health benefits of daily exercise.
Curaçao Soccer Academy started in February 2012 and has since booked many successes in international and inter-insular tournaments with Aruba, Bonaire, Venezuela and Suriname.
