AUBURN — The McG United Soccer Academy will offer sessions July 21-25 at the Lewiston Auburn Youth Soccer Association fields behind Auburn Middle School for players 5-to-17 years old.

The staff has high school, college, club-level, and professional coaches. It has been heralded as one of the best soccer teaching academies in the state.

Most coaches and college-level and high school varsity-level counselors are returning from last year’s academy. Most notable are Dan Gish, state champion varsity coach for Lewiston High School, and Abdijabar Hersi, head coach for Wahda United FC of the UPSL and former assistant coach at the University of Southern Maine and CMCC.

Wahda UFC is a team for players who have aspirations of advancing to the professional level. These two coaches will work with the Elite Academy players (12-to-17-year-olds). The Elite sessions are excellent training for players who may want to try out for their respective school and club teams.

Also returning is a dynamic duo of coaches who bring energy and skills to the academy. Butch Dow is the longtime goalkeeper coach who will train keepers in high school. Middle school players will need to be cleared by Butch and his assistants to participate. Don Plourde is a popular and charismatic coach who played for Lewiston High School and St. Joseph’s College. He is presently the varsity baseball coach at Cony High School.

McG United Soccer Academy is looking forward to welcoming back Eric Wagner, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania men’s soccer varsity coach. He has coached some of his teams all over the world. Coach Wagner is a very enthusiastic coach and a favorite of young players.

Several other coaches may be added to the staff as well.

Anyone interested in participating in this summer’s academy can obtain a brochure by emailing Mike McGraw at [email protected].