RICHMOND, Va. (December 29, 2022) – The ECNL is pleased to announce that the 6th annual ECNL Coaching Symposium, powered by US Club Soccer, will take place February 7-8, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV. The educational event will feature experts from around the world and from some of the game’s biggest professional clubs, including Luke Hobbs, the Arsenal Head of Academy Coaching, and Ceri Bowley, former Rangers FC First Team coach and City Football Group Head of Coaching Support. Presentations will cover technical and tactical principles, leadership and personal development, team and individual psychology, injury prevention and periodisation, and more. The event will also provide those in attendance a collaborative environment to share ideas, best practices, and tools to continue to innovate and push the game forward.
Below are the fantastic speakers that will be presenting at this unique event.
Margueritte Aozasa: Margueritte Aozasa led UCLA to the 2022 Division I NCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship in her first season as a head coach, after six years as an assistant at Stanford University where the team also won two national championships. Aozasa coached club soccer in the ECNL with MVLA for nearly 10 years while with Stanford. She was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 Class in 2018.
Ceri Bowley: Most recently, Ceri worked as a first team assistant for Rangers FC in the Scottish Premier League and UEFA Champions League. Prior to that, he worked for many years for City Football Group where he led the creation and implementation of the City Football Methodology, which remains in place at CFG clubs across the globe. Bowley holds a PhD in Sports Psychology and Coaching Science, and has worked with Barry Town, the English FA, Swansea City and Merthyr Town in various roles.
Didier Chambaron: Didier Chambaron is the US Soccer Director of Coaching Education. Prior to this position, he was the US Soccer “A” license Technical Lead. From 2007-2016 he held different roles as Head of Coach Education for the Oceania Confederation, player development and methodology consultant for FIFA, and coach and coach educator for the French Football Federation (FFF).
Ryan Hawk: Ryan Hawk is the host ofThe Learning Leader Show, called “the most dynamic podcast around” by Forbes Magazine and “one of the 5 podcasts to make you smarter” by Inc. Magazine. Hawk is also the author of “Welcome to Management: How to Grow From Top Performer to Excellent Leader” and “The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of the World’s Most Productive Achievers.” Ryan speaks and consults with some of the world’s leading brands.
Luke Hobbs: Luke Hobbs is the Head of Academy Coaching for Arsenal Football Club in London. He has worked at Arsenal since 2013 in a variety of roles, including as U9-U12 lead phase coach, and as U12-U14 lead phase coach. Prior to his time at Arsenal, Hobbs was the Center of Excellence Manager and Head of Coaching for Southend United, and the Head of Recruitment and Youth Development for Cambridge United, among other roles.
Meg Nemzer: Meg Nemzer just finished her first year as the head coach at the University of Maryland, leading the Terps to their most wins in Big Ten play since 2019. Prior to Maryland, she spent eight seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Rutgers University, helping the Scarlet Knights to two College Cups. At the club level, Nemzer worked for many years with PDA, and in 2015 became the first female head coach to win an ECNL national championship with her U17 team.
Missy Price: Dr. Missy Price is the Vice President of Women’s Soccer at the USL (United Soccer League). Dr. Price holds numerous coaching licenses and has served as a coach educator for United Soccer Coaches and US Soccer, including the federation’s SheChampions mentor program for women coaches. She has a Ph.D. in sport psychology and brings more than 25 years of experience as a college coach, instructor, consultant, author, and public speaker.
Tiffany Roberts: Tiffany Roberts is the Director of Coaching for Utah Royals FC – AZ, after previously being the Executive Director for Kings Hammer SC (OH) for 8 years and coaching at the University of Cincinnati. She was also an assistant coach for the United States U-17 YNT at the 2022 World Cup in India.
Drew Watson: Drew Watson, MD, MS, is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and a team physician for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. He is board certified in pediatrics and sports medicine, serves as the head team physician for Forward Madison FC (USL), as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Elite Clubs National League, and earned his US Soccer “A” license in 2001. He also directs the Watson Human Performance Laboratory, conducting research in both pediatric exercise physiology, as well as injury prediction and the impacts of injuries on well-being and mental health in youth and collegiate athletes.
Ronnie Woodard: Ronnie Woodard is the Director of Member Services and Community for Tennessee Soccer Club, as well as a coach for their ECNL and USL W-League programs. She is also a US Soccer Coaching Educator, US Soccer Talent Scout, and a Jill Ellis “She Champions” Mentor, a program designed to retain, encourage, and support female coaches. Previously, she was the head women’s soccer coach at Vanderbilt University and the College of Charleston, as well as an assistant at multiple colleges.
The 2023 Coaching Symposium is part of the ECNL’s club and coach development platform, a key component in the league’s mission to Raise The Game. The event is open to coaches regardless of league affiliation.
Coaches can book their spot at the 2023 Coaching Symposium here.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
