NC COURAGE ACADEMY
Academy Pathway
North Carolina Courage ECNL Academy is the highest level of soccer for youth female soccer players. The ECNL Academy is a 10-month program, players begin their season in August and conclude in July. The NC Courage ECNL Academy is led by NC Courage ECNL Academy Director David Maddren.
For more information, please contact us at
David.Maddren@NCFCYouth.com.

NC Courage Academy Graduates have moved on to:
Play Collegiately...
100+
Trial Application
Thank you for your interest in joining our Academy program. We take great pride in not only developing high level soccer players, but also remarkable people that will have a positive and lasting impact on the communities where they reside. There are two ways that a player can be invited in for a trial:
Personal Player Application
Once we receive your application, your e-mail will be reviewed by our staff and taken into consideration when deciding whether to extend an invitation or not. If we decide not to extend an invite to you, we will pass on your information to our ECNL or Classic programs for consideration.
Internal Club Scouting
Players that are currently part of NCFC Youth are constantly being evaluated by our staff. If we identify a player in another program and he is deemed to be at or close to the required level, they will be invited in for training via PlayMetrics.
Academy Staff
David Maddren - Academy Director | U17 Head Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA Human Performance & Exerxice Science – Concentration in Coaching – University of Mobile
- MA Athletic Administration – Mississippi College
- USSF - A-Senior License
PAST EXPERIENCE
- NC Courage Academy Director
- NC Courage Assistant Director
- CASL Younger Classic Girls Director
- Holmes Communicty College Assistant
- Mississippi College Men’s Assistant
- MS Rush Youth Coach
Willie Davis - Asst. Academy Director | U19 & U16 Head Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA Pre-Law/Political Science- University of Louisiana Lafayette
- USSF ‘B’ License
- USSF National Y License
PAST EXPERIENCE
- BRSC (Baton Rouge Soccer Club) Director of Coaching Boys
- ODP Region III Region Staff
- Franklin Pierce University Men’s Assistant
- 2005 DII NCAA National Finalist
- 2007 DII NCAA National Champions
- Franklin Pierce University Men’s/Women’s Head Tennis Coach
- LSU Women’s Assistant Coach
- NCFC ECNL Girls Director of Coaching (2017-2019)
Paul Forster - NCFC Youth Director of Soccer | U14 Head Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA Physical Education - UNCW 1999
- MA Educational Administration - SUNY Buffalo 2001
- USSF A License
PAST EXPERIENCE
- Graduate Assistant Soccer Coach SUNY Buffalo 1999-01
- Head Mens Soccer and Golf Coach - NC Wesleyan College 2001
- Assistant Mens Soccer Coach Wake Forest University 2001-2003
- Director of Coaching Twin City Youth Soccer Association 2003
- Youth Director CASL 2010-15
- Director of Classic CASL 2015-2017
- Director of Analytics NC State Mens Soccer 2017-2022
- Director of Soccer NCFC Youth 2017-Present
Marshall Hodge - U11 & U12 Pre-Academy Director
EDUCATION & LICENSING
To be added...
PAST EXPERIENCE
To be added...
Taylor Adcock - U11 & U12 Pre-Academy Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
To be added...
PAST EXPERIENCE
To be added...
David Medina - U11 & U12 Pre-Academy Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
To be added...
PAST EXPERIENCE
To be added...
Jason Bailey - Head Athletic Trainer
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- MS. Exercise & Sport Science (Athletic Training) l North Carolina Uni. At Greensboro
- BS. Exercise & Sport Science l East Carolina Uni.
- Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) l National Athletic Trainers Assoc.
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) l National Strength & Conditioning Assoc.
- Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) l National Academy Of Sports Medicine
- CPR, AED, & 1st Aid Instructor l American Heart Assoc.
- Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) l National Academy Of Sports Medicine
PAST EXPERIENCE
- Carolina Hurricanes - Assist. Athletic Trainer (PRO)
- Carolina RailHawks - Assist. Athletic Trainer (PRO)
Stephen Palmer - Director of Goalkeeping
EDUCATION & LICENSING
To be added...
PAST EXPERIENCE
To be added...
FAQs
We hope to answer your questions below. However, if you can't find what you are looking for, please email David.Maddren@NCFCYouth.com
Age | League Participation | Number | Location | Typical Times | Uniform | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U19s | ECNL National | x 4 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U17s | ECNL National | x 4 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U16s | ECNL National | x 4 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U15s | ECNL National | x 4 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U14s | ECNL National | x 4 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U13s | ECNL National | x 3 p/w min | WRAL l Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $3,425 |
U12 Pre-Academy | NCFC In-House | x 3 p/w min | WRAL | Thomas Brooks | 4:45 - 6:15pm, 6:15 - 8:00 pm | Provided | $2,350 |
Q. Where can I find more information about the training locations?
A. Click here 👈
Q. Is their financial aid available to help with the program cost?
A. Yes. We offer financial aid to players from families that demonstrate a clear financial need. Click here 👈 to learn more about the application process. Regardless of your situation, we will do everything we can to help in some way.
Q. Do you provide medical/athletic training help for injuries?
A. Yes. There is always a trained medical personnel on-site.
Q. Do you provide footwear?
A. No.
Q. Do I have to wear a specific brand of footwear?
A. Academy players from U16 and older are required to wear Nike boots as part of our club sponsorship agreement.
Q. Am I allowed to play for my high school team?
A. No. Academy players are committed to a year-round program and are expected to be at every training and match.
Q. Will the Academy help me with college recruitment?
A. Yes. This is a top priority of ours. Whilst we will not do the work for you, will provide as much assistance and guidance as we can.