Kuramathi Maldives, available exclusively through Kuoni in the United Kingdom, has announced the return of the Campioni Soccer Academy for summer 2026, reaffirming the resort’s position as a leading family-friendly destination in the Maldives. The two-week programme will once again transform the island’s football pitch into a world-class training ground for young players aged 4 to 16, set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters and Kuramathi’s lush tropical landscape. For UK-based families travelling with Kuoni, the academy offers a compelling blend of premium holiday experience and structured sports development, aligning leisure with meaningful, skills-based engagement for children.
The 2026 edition will welcome two renowned English football legends, Stuart Pearce MBE and Wes Brown, together with UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach Adrian Whitbread. They will lead two consecutive weeks of intensive and enjoyable coaching designed to inspire, challenge, and uplift children of all abilities. Week One, from 27 July to 1 August 2026, will be led by Stuart Pearce MBE and Adrian Whitbread, while Week Two, from 3 to 8 August 2026, will be overseen by Wes Brown and Adrian Whitbread. The experience begins with a beachfront welcome reception, where families meet the visiting football icons, collect bespoke training gear, and are introduced to the structure of the programme. From Monday to Saturday, daily sessions focus on essential football skills, teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship, with participants receiving consistent, personal feedback from the professionals. For young players, it represents a rare opportunity to learn directly from top-level athletes in an intimate and relaxed island setting.
While children train on the pitch, parents are able to make full use of Kuramathi’s extensive resort offering. The island is known for its balance of relaxation and recreation, enabling families to tailor their stay according to their needs. Parents can enjoy the beaches, spa, and wide range of dining options, or take part in marine and leisure activities, confident that their children are safe, active, and productively engaged in a structured programme. Many families also choose to join the popular mid-week Parents’ Game a light-hearted match that brings all ages together on the pitch and strengthens the sense of community among guests. This integration of professional coaching with the broader resort experience underscores Kuramathi’s strategy of offering value-added, experience-driven holidays for the family segment, particularly for the UK market.
Reflecting on the 2025 edition, Stuart Pearce MBE commented that Campioni Soccer Academy at Kuramathi had been fantastic and expressed his excitement about returning in summer 2026 to meet a new group of families. He highlighted that the work done with Campioni is always inspiring and that in every training session he sees potential. He emphasised that Campioni is not only about learning new football skills, but also about inspiring young minds to dream big and work hard. Wes Brown echoed this sentiment, noting that seeing children improve over the course of the week is what he enjoys most about Campioni. He stated that he is looking forward to being at Kuramathi next summer, adding that the Maldives feels like the perfect destination for children and families to enjoy a great experience together.
The 2025 programme also extended beyond resort guests by welcoming young players from local Maldivian academies in Thoddoo and Rasdhoo for a special session conducted by John Barnes MBE and Adrian Whitbread. Kuramathi and Campioni intend to continue this important initiative in 2026, giving promising Maldivian talents the opportunity to train with international football greats. This outreach reflects Kuramathi’s commitment to building meaningful connections with surrounding island communities and supporting youth development through sport. More than a training camp, Campioni at Kuramathi is positioned as an immersive island experience where childhood ambitions are nurtured, evening matches unfold under tropical skies, and young athletes are inspired by the unique combination of professional coaching and the natural beauty of the Maldives.
advertisment
advertisment
