About

Next Step Mission Statement

Next Step Training was founded in order to provide a unique competitive experience for the BEST local kids in and around the Southeastern Massachusetts/Rhode Island area.The combination of high level coaching, invite only environments and a true club-neutral philosophy makes Next Step one of the most elite supplemental training experiences in New England. The overall goal of each training session is to provide technical, tactical, and mental growth while encouraging players to be creative to help them become the most complete version of themselves.

T H E T E A M

Founder

Nicholas Woodruff

Originally from Attleboro, MA. He played Club soccer for various teams including Black Watch Premier, NEFC, and Scorpions SC where he won the U13 Massachusetts State Cup along with numerous local and regional tournaments. At 14 he was asked to join the New England Revolution Academy where he spent time from 2012 to 2017 totaling 120+ games played. As an academy standout it helped gain him national attention as a Top 150 recruit in the class of 2017. In the fall of 2017 he attended Michigan State University to join the Big Ten powerhouse. Spending 3 years there, Nick played a total of 27 games even making it to an NCAA Final Four in 2018. In 2019 after receiving a contract offer from the New England Revolution organization Nick decided to full-fill his life long dream to become a professional. Nick has since retired from playing and taken a job at SEG which is one of the biggest soccer agencies in the world.

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Director of Player Development

Luis Silva

Luis Silva was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and moved to Los Angeles at a young age. He played collegiately at UCSB & was then selected 4th overall by Toronto FC in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Luis went on to play for DC United, RSL, Seattle Sounders, and Liga MX side Tigres. He also has won MLS Cup, US Open Cup, Canadian Cup and Liga MX. Luis joined the Next Step staff in November of 2022.

Director of Goalkeeping

Austin Aviza

Austin was a member of the New England Revolution Academy & U-23s 2011-2019. He was also called into the United States National Team U17 & U18. NCAA Division 1 Goalkeeper at Syracuse University, UConn, and Providence College. He was apart of the all Big-East team at Providence and holds the record for Shutouts in Season while also advancing to Big East finals and Sweet 16. He was then Drafted 44th overall by Orlando City SC in the 2020 MLS draft spending time with Orlando City and Richmond Kickers during his professional career. Austin joined the Next Step staff in February 2023.

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Additional Trainers

Miguel Sagastume
Jeff Carreira
Hayley Katowski
Chris Macia
Bryant Nardizzi
Kevin Arboleda

Head of Administration

Kiara Mills

Kiara was born and raised in Attleboro, Ma before going to Merrimack College and transferring to the University of Texas at Tyler where she graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. While working in the exercise industry she received her Masters in Healthcare Administration from Colorado State University Global Campus. Kiara is very passionate about helping and creating successful opportunities for others. This led Kiara back to her roots and joined the Next Step staff in 2023.

Director of Marketing

Tina Alati

Tina graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Interior Design. She has always been very versatile in her creativity and has held many positions in marketing, public relations, graphics and web design throughout her student and professional career while being a student athlete at MSU. She is very passionate and ambitious in pursuing all aspects of Next Step's vision. Tina joined the Next Step staff in September of 2020.