Matt Weston: Director of Coaching (Candlewood Soccer Academy Premier)
Matt Weston has extensive coaching experience and is a former professional soccer player. His playing days began back in 1986, where he spent four years with the Manchester United Academy of Excellence, playing alongside David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and other top players in England. At that time, he learned the game from coaching legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Kidd. His career then took him to Ipswich Town who were then in the English Premier League, where he served as a Professional under the late John Lyall for five years in the mid 1990s. A short spell at Stockport County of the English First Division followed before Weston retired from full-time professional soccer. Following his playing days, Weston ventured into coaching. His coaching experience spans more than a decade in both the UK and US. Weston has worked with professional academy players at Bolton Wanderers FC of the English Premier League, semi-professional players, college, high school and premier, and has a UEFA B Coaching Qualification. He worked as the assistant coach at the University of Bridgeport in 2008, before moving on to set up his own business, Weston Pro Soccer. Weston currently runs camps and clinics throughout the State of Connecticut. He is the former CFC Impact & CFC Gunners (Connecticut Football Club) Coaching Director, and was the head coach of the CFC College 'Showcase' Team. Weston also provides coaching and consultancy for FC New York, a new professional soccer franchise that will enter the USL Division 1 in 2011. In 2010 Matt began the Weston Pro Soccer's Premier Program and the affiliation with CSA. He was also appointed as the Head Women's Soccer Coach for SUNY Purchase College and begins this role in the Fall of 2010.
Gerry Brennan: 2010 U13 Girls Coach, Developmental Boys Coach, DOC SCNM
Gerry has joined CSA in 2009 after parents and coaches recognized his special talents while he was working for the Soccer Club of New Milford through MLS. In 2009 the club began working to add Gerry full time to its coaching staff. With the assistance of Weston Pro Soccer, a mult-year Visa was secured enabling Gerry to remain in the US and take on the Director of Coaching position for the club running our year round programs. Consistent with our mandate for the best coaches to be assigned top CSA teams to train and coach, Gerry began training and coaching the U12 Girls premier team, and the boys premier academy programs.
Born in Co. Meath, Ireland, Gerry had a very successful playing career back home and was scouted to come and play in the United States for the University of the Cumberlands, KY. Whilst he was there he received 4 ALL MSC Conference achievements and won the coaches MVP in 2005/06. Moving into coaching, Gerry has continued to excel and has just been named as the new Director of Coaching for the Soccer Club of New Milford.
Gerry is currently also an assistant coach for the Western CT State University men's soccer team.
Charlie Roberts: Boys Director
Charlie is the current assistant women's coach at SUNY Purchase College and the former assistant at both Worcester State & Salem State College. UEFA B qualified with extensive coaching experience in both the UK & USA, including academy experience with the New England Revolution & Norwich City of the English Football League.
Former positions also include F.C Puma academy coach, Universal Sports Group & MLS player development officer.
Chris Symons: Girls Director
Christopher Symons is the current Head Goalkeeping Coach for both the Men's & Women's teams at SUNY Purchase. He serves as Weston Pro Soccer's specialized Goalkeeping coach & professional sports photographer. From 2000 to 2006 he was employed by the Handsleading Goalkeeping School, London, England, where he ran and organized specialized goalkeeping sessions at an array of venues. From 2004 to 2006, Chris was employed by Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence, London England. For Leyton, he served as head goalkeeping coach providing specialized sessions to all of the goalkeepers and incorporating them into team practices, including the England U16 goalkeeper. From 2006 to 2009, Chris worked for Major League Soccer Camps & UK International Soccer Camps where he coached specialized goalkeeping clinics in CT, RI and MA.
Lauren Matthews
A member of the Western Connecticut State University team, Lauren is still playing at a very high level of soccer. On-field honors include: 2007 Rookie of the year, 2008 1st Team All-LEC, and 2008 2nd Team All-New England. Lauren has coached previously with Soccer Pride for 3 years, where she worked at Camps & Clinics throughout the State of Connecticut and is now in her second year with Weston Po Soccer.
Hans van Zupthen: 2010 CSA U14 D2 Premier girls coach
Hans graduated C.I.O.S. Sittard 1981 and has the following list of successes in his career.
* UEFA "A" License holder and Futsal 2 & 3 (Dutch)
* Former Semi-Professional player at TOP Oss (Dutch 1st Div.)
* Former Futsal player in Dutch 1st Div.
* Over 33 years of youth coaching/directing experience with several Dutch clubs; including professional clubs: F.C. Eindhoven, F.C. Dordrecht, Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax Amsterdam.
* Former KNVB Academy Instructor
* Certified Coerver specialist
Joining CSA in the fall of 2008, Hans was the first soccer professional hired exclusively for the development of the Candlewood Soccer Academy program.
Hans has coached both the U12 and U14 girls teams and provides specialized training sessions for various age groups throughout the season.
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