Meet the Staff

Ferdie Ato Adoboe - Founder/Director

Ferdie Ato Adoboe has established himself as "The New Coach on theBlock." He has played professional soccer on 4 continents and has 15 years coaching experience at the youth, high school, and college levels.

Ferdie's innovative teaching methods come out of his rich knowledge of the game. Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, where he developed as a soccer player, Ferdie moved to the United States in 1981. While studying at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst he was a four-year starter. After graduating, Ferdie played professionally in Australia's first division with St. George, and in France's second division with Martigues Football club.

Ferdie started teaching at various camps around the country in 1984. Over the years he has teamed up with notable coaches as Kalekeni Banda of Wisconsin, Joe Morrone of UConn, and many other top coaches. Most recently Ferdie served as Head Soccer Coach at Mt. Holyoke College (1994-96)

In 1993, Ferdie founded Soccer Magic Academy, to teach his special brand of internationally competitive soccer. By Combining his learning experiences as a child with his research on youth skills development in Ghana and The U.S., he created the Soccer Magic Skills Development Program. Soccer Magic has brought the wave of the future to teams, coaches, and individual players across New England, and now, YOU can catch it.

Coaching Experience: 1984-Present

• Creator of Ferdie's Soccer Magic Skills Development Program
• Founder and Director, Ferdie's Soccer Magic Academy - Camps and Clinics.
• Head Soccer Coach, Mt. Holyoke College.
• Massachusetts ODP-skills development.
• Head Boys Soccer Coach, South Hadley High School,
  S.Hadley, Massachusetts.
• Assistant Track and Field Coach, Mt. Holyoke.
• Assistant Track And Field Coach,
  University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
• 15 Years teaching skills at Camps in the Northeast.

Playing Experience:

• Youth and Professional career spans over Four continents.
• 1991-92 Football Club de Martigues, France 2nd Div.
• Tryouts with Olympic Marseille and Toulon, France 1st Div.
• 1989-90 Registered Pro. St. George B.S.C., Sydney, Australia.
• 1987-88 Gremio Lusitano, LASA League, MA.
• 1983-87 Univ. of Mass Soccer-Third all-time leading Assists.
• Youth Development in Ghana, West Africa.

Athletic Achievments/Awards:
Ferdie holds 4 Guinness World Records:

• Fastest Human Backwards - 100m and 100yd dash Backwards in 12.7 and 13.6 secs. respectively 1991.
• Fastest Juggler in the World: Speed Juggling - Ferdie juggled a regulation size soccer ball 136 times in 30 sec., and 263 in 1min.
• Trivial Pursuit - Ferdie is an answer in this popular household game (1984).
• Sports Illustrated, "Faces in the crowd" 1983.
• 1987 Umass Athlete of the Year. Soccer, Track and Field.
• All-American Track and Field, 1982.

Our Mission:

In today’s society, competitive athletics are highly valued and sports achievements are economically and financially as rewarding as those in any other profession. As cultural beings, we constantly seek new ways to teach and model elements of successful living in society. Athletes have become important role models in society, and the sport of soccer represents an important vehicle to inculcate important life lessons for our children.

To fully and truly extract all potential real life lessons in soccer, or any sport for that matter, it is essential that we gain a very high level of understanding of the sport as well as the elements that govern it. The love of a sport allows an individual to explore the skills of the game, which gives them the power to succeed in it. Through such individuals, we gain knowledge about what it takes to get to the top, and reset the standard for others to raise the bar on the sport. This gives society further insight into the capabilities of humankind.

At Ferdie’s Soccer Magic, our objective is to educate and inspire. Give kids the confidence they need to attack and succeed. Be it in a soccer game or in life. We pledge to model for your children elements of successful living in society.

The FSMA Staff

Ferdie Ato Adoboe - founder and CEO. See bio.

Susana Solera - Adoboe Program Administrator, Child psychologist. With a PHD in Psychology from the University of Madrid and University of Massachusetts, Susana presents solutions for psychological stresses of campers.

Brent Dillard - Associate Director, A Graduate of Springfield College and a former student of the program, Mr. Dillard combines a degree in Athletic Training, with an extensive professional soccer experience to aid in researching safety and injury prevention methods in youth development. He currently also serves as the varsity boys soccer coach at Longmeadow MA.

Isa Kevon - Program Director, Originally from Trinidad and a graduate of American International College.

Robbie Russell - Spokesperson/Teacher/Demonstrator - A student of FSM, Robbie is currently an international professional soccer player at SOGNDAL FC in the Norwegian 1st Division. A former captain at Duke University, one of the nations premier college soccer programs in the last decade. Recently drafted by LA Galaxy, Robbie Russell turned down that offer to pursue his life long dream of playing Professionally in Europe. He is a professional of the highest degree and a role model for all youth soccer players. Robbie will teach, conduct exhibitions and make appearances at major events.

Robbie Russell links:
Cyber Soccer News - Sogndal vs. Aalesund, 5/25/03

Mary McVeigh - Teacher/Demonstrator. A student of FSM now playing Professionally in the WUSA with the Philadelphia Charge. A college All American at Dartmouth, and a high school All-American at Cathedral She led Cathedral to the State Championship and Dartmouth tothe NCAA championships. She currently holds both FSM and Unofficial women’s world records in speed juggling with 92 touches in 30 seconds. Mary is an outstanding local soccer player with a professional pedigree to boast about. She will teach, and perform demonstrations at various events.

Mike O’Malley - Teacher and Demonstrator. A student of FSM and currently holder of various records at the institution. Mike attended AIC and Springfield Technical Community College and is a master of soccer skills. He will teach, conduct exhibitions and demonstrations at various events around the country.

Kerry O’Malley - Teacher/Demonstrator. Kerry is a recent All-American graduate from Longmeadow high school. A student of FSM who as a freshman at Providence College in 2002, lead her program in scoring, winning Big East Rookie of the Year honors. A standing member of the US Women’s national team pool since 2001. She is a tremendous local product with a very promising future in the Women’s game.

Kalikeni Banda - College Liaison. Banda is the Head Womens Soccer Coach at UAlbany. Originally, from Malawi, Banda’s legacy of soccer in America reads like an encyclopedia. In addition to building one of the first women’s soccer dynasties in North America at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he created “Banda Bola”- a skills acquisition program using music to help young soccer players develop rhythm and balance through “ball dancing” activities. Banda is a significant contributor to the development of soccer in the nation.

Scott Messinger - Public Relations. Scott is the Assistant Boys Coach at The Williston School in Easthampton, MA. A highly regarded teacher at one of America’s finest institutions, Mr. Messinger aids in creating and modifying our curriculum.

95% of our staff were developed by the FSM program. I believe that the best person to teach soccer magic is the soccer magician. Every indivdual above can demonstrate, teach, and is well versed on the terms and philosophy of this program. They demonstrate their knowledge and expertise at some of the finest college soccer programs in the country. I am very proud of their achievements and their desire to pass down the torch to the next generation.