LA Strikers Announce New Head Coach
Tracey Kevins
The LA Strikers are pleased to announce the signing of Tracey Kevins as Head Coach/ Director of Private Clinics. Coach Kevins will serve as our full-time Head Coach, allowing her to take advantage of recruiting opportunities and helping build the Striker program year-round.
Coach Kevins comes to us from the English Women’s National Team where she has been an Assistant Coach since 2004. She was also appointed as First Team Manager at Barnet FC Ladies in March 2004, having served the club for many seasons as a player and in various coaching roles. During her time as Manager, she guided the club from the South East Combination League to the FA Women’s Premier League National Division. Last season, under her leadership Barnet FC Ladies achieved their highest league position of fourth place in the National Division. With Tracey as Manager, Barnet won the FA Women’s Premier League Cup in 2011 and reached the semi-final of the FA Women’s Cup in two successive seasons in 2009/10 and 2010/11. Tracey also led the side to the Championship of the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division in 2010, the South East Combination League in 2006 and to the Middlesex County FA Women’s Senior Cup title on seven occasions. She has also served as an Assistant Senior Coach with The David Beckham Academy.
Coach Kevins holds an UEFA “A” License and a FA Youth Coaching Awards Modules 1-3. She has also earned a BA with Honors QTC (Qualified Teacher Status) in Sport Science and Physical Education.
In addition to her duties as Head Coach of the Strikers, Coach Kevins will also be the Director of the Strikers’ Private Clinics. These clinics will be held at three venues throughout LA and Orange County. The Strikers will be providing private, specific, skilled-based coaching to small groups of girls U12-U23. The clinics are scheduled to begin in March of 2013 – check lastrikersfc.com for further details.
Steve Miller, Owner of the LA Strikers: “We are ecstatic about having Coach Kevins come across the Pond to work with us in these positions. Her knowledge of the game and her passion have definitely come across in all of our conversations. I can’t wait to see where she takes this organization – given her record, she doesn’t like to lose.”
If you would like to work with a top-tier women’s soccer team in SoCal, contact Vanessa Valentine, the Strikers’ GM, for available internships/volunteer/coaching work.
Open tryouts for the Strikers will be taking place in March of 2013. The W-League season goes from May – July. Please visit our website at www.lastrikersfc.com for more details.
Below you will find a Q&A with Coach Kevins. You can also read more about her from her previous club, Barnet FC Ladies: http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/6762
Q&A with Coach Tracey Kevins
1. Where are you from and what is your playing history?
TK: I was born in London & have lived here all my life. In my fifteen-year playing career I have captained National League side Barnet FC Ladies and gained county honors for Middlesex & national honors playing for the English University side.
2. What is your coaching history?
TK: I began coaching in 1999 after injuring myself whilst playing in Australia where I played for a season & instantly fell in love with coaching. I have been Barnet FC Ladies head first 1st team coach since 2004 & I have worked for the English FA as an assistant coach within their Female sides at youth level (U15, U17, U19 & U23) since 2005. I have also worked for two FA centers of Excellence (Leyton Orient & Middlesex) since 2003 developing talented players for the International set up.
3. What are you looking to bring to the LA Striker’s Organization?
TK: I am really excited about the whole set up at the LA Strikers & as a relatively new club I’m looking forward to establishing them as a key player in the W-League. I am looking to bring my passion, knowledge & experience within the women’s game to the Strikers along with my extensive global player network to continue improving the current playing squad.
4. Besides coaching the LA Striker’s, what are you looking forward to most coming to LA?
TK: Other than swapping 300 days of rain for sunshine! I very much enjoy the outdoor life & looking forward to experiencing the wonderful beaches that LA has to offer.
5. What differences, if any do you think there are between American soccer and English soccer?
TK: The American game is growing at such a rapid rate & has made huge strides in the last few years in improving the technical & tactical knowledge of the players. English players are technically & tactically very good due to the fact that it is our national sport & players grow up watching & learning the game. The winning mentality & fitness levels of the American players has been the biggest difference I have noticed between the two nations & is something that I will be looking to enhance whilst continuing to improve their tactical knowledge.
6. Who is your favorite professional team?
TK: Arsenal FC…but living in LA I will need to adopt a team from the MLS. Now that Beckham looks set to leave LA Galaxy my allegiances will be up for grabs!!
7. What is your favorite food?
TK: Mexican
8. Any other interesting facts or interesting things about yourself that you would like the LA Striker’s fans to know?
TK: As well as working within the Women’s game in England I have also coached a number of U16-U19 male teams including coaching a team to play against Liverpool U18′s at Anfield in the FA Youth Cup, which I believe no other female has done before or since.
