Why James Proctor is excited to lead Masters Academy International’s boys program

James Proctor has been named Director of Men's Soccer at Masters Academy International. (Drew Forsberg Photography)

After 26 seasons as the Worcester Academy boys soccer head coach, James Proctor is gearing up for his next challenge.

The highly-successful coach has been named the Director of Men’s Soccer at the brand new Masters Academy International, or MAI, which will open next fall for the 2026-27 academic year. MAI is a sports-centric academy, located in Stow, Mass., that will feature an 82-acre campus and will aim to create a multi-sport powerhouse in the vein of Florida’s IMG Academy, with a year-round athletic focus that surpasses any other school in New England.

It’s certainly an ambitious move for the 49-year-old Proctor, who will finish up the 2025 season at Worcester and then officially transition into his new full-time role at MAI.

“I think it’s going to be massive,” said Proctor. “The (Worcester) players took the news and were very supportive, the (Worcester) institution has been very supportive. I think everyone is happy for me.

“I think having been at a school for 26 years — I’m realizing more with the nice comments and things like that — I’ve just had my head down grinding for 26 years. Now that I’m being able to look back, it’s, like, ‘yeah we did do a lot.'”

Proctor, a native of York, England, has 297 career wins at Worcester and can get to 300 if his team wins at least three of its remaining four games this season. It’s been a rare down year for Worcester, which owns a record of 2-9-3 and will close out the regular season on Nov. 8, at home against Austin Prep.

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Proctor has built Worcester Academy into a powerhouse and a perennial NEPSAC contender. He led the program to Class A championships in 2019 and 2022. He’s also seen over 200 of his Worcester players go on to play college soccer.

It’s all of those accomplishments and his passion for developing players that has him so excited to be at the forefront of MAI’s journey into New England soccer.

“I love the fact that it’s a blank canvas, love the fact that I’m the first person to go in there,” he said. “At Worcester, I was the custodian for 26 years and now it’s someone else’s time to take it forward. Now with Masters, I’m the first custodian to say ‘OK, here’s my idea, here’s my plan.’ Now it’s time to deliver the concept. I have the opportunity to create something, design something and challenge myself in a direction that is slightly different to what I’ve been doing. It’s different to what’s available in the current New England soccer market. I think anyone would be excited about that.”

Proctor says MAI will field two teams in Year 1. He’ll coach the first team and oversee the entire program. There will likely be 36 players in the program, and recruiting will play a major factor in those roster spots. Proctor will be looking for talented players from the region, across the country and internationally. 

Masters Academy International’s stated mission is to serve as New England’s first and only academy, combining elite sports and top-tier academics to prepare leaders ready for the future — excelling in sport, school and life. The school will welcome coed middle school, upper school and post-graduate students with day and boarding options. 

Proctor says more clarity about team schedules and typical school days for student-athletes will be available after Thanksgiving. He estimates the boys soccer teams could play roughly 40 games throughout the school-year calendar, with probably a 16-20 game schedule next fall. 

Along with the extra training time that comes with a year-long model, he says there will also be added benefits like having a sports nutritionist and sports psychologist working with the teams.

“I just think a sports school with those resources is exciting,” Proctor said.

With that said, Proctor will always remember his time at Worcester Academy fondly.

“Great memories there, both my children went there. My daughter played basketball there and captained the girls varsity team. My son captained the boys soccer team, along with others, to their first-ever school championship,” Proctor said. “Lots of memories, lots of friends, no regrets. It’s a fantastic place and a fantastic community.”

Matt Langone is the managing editor for New England Soccer Journal. You can email him at [email protected] or follow him on X @MattLangone.