P.A.C.E. Soccer - By Coach Matt Bambrick

P.A.C.E Soccer

Experienced and enthusiastic soccer coach looking to support the development of young people through engaging practices based on academically supported methodology and pedagogy.

I have been coaching kids soccer for over 12 years, in the UK and the USA. In my time in the USA I have worked in recreation, competitive(travel) and elite levels of play. These experiences include designing and implementing curriculums for recreation players and coaches, coaching multiple high-level competitive teams in the foundation phases (U6-U10) and coaching elite teams in high-level tournaments as part of the FC Bayern Elite Player Pathway in the US. I currently hold an English FA level 2 coaching qualification and am currently going through the USSF and UEFA processes as part of my ongoing professional development.

My main experiences in soccer in the USA have been supported by working with a former Manchester United Academy Director who has identified and developed talent which has gone on to not only play for Manchester United but a plethora of top-level clubs and represent their countries in World Cups and European Championships. This mentorship has been a crucial part of my development to understand coaching as a holistic process and providing quality experiences for each player. My other major experiences in soccer have been working with West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, both Premier League clubs at the time of employment

I am currently in the 2nd trimester of a 3-year Bachelor of Science degree based in England which is titled "Coaching Soccer for Development".This course has made a significant impact on me has accelerated my development as a coach faster than attaining national coaching certificates. Working with coaching academics linked to many Premier League clubs I am experiencing and putting into my delivery elite level understanding in terms of development and pedagogy.

I have been coaching soccer for over 12 years now, starting as a 16-year-old in grassroots soccer programs for the club I had played for, for over 10 years. This sparked a curiosity and passion for thinking about the game in a different way, from a coaching perspective. Over time I acquired experience both in the UK and the USA on the field and administration off of the field, practising my passion, developing my skills and idea on how the game is played but more importantly how it should be taught.

My first major roles within clubs/programs came in 2011 when elected to be chairman of my University's Soccer club, a great honour elected by my peers, to manage the running of 4 teams and close to 100 players with our first team a couple of levels below the Welsh Premier League (EFL League 2 standard). At the same time acquired a role in a residential camp in Pennsylvania, during my summers the following 2 years hired as their director of soccer to build and develop a soccer philosophy and manage their entire program including the tutoring of coaches on the program.

Following my final summer and finishing my first degree in Business and Information Technology, I pursued to coach on a higher level by firstly volunteering and working up to paid positions with West Bromwich Albion and then Aston Villa FC. My roles here were to deliver a club delivered coaching program and developing players that could move into the academy via camps and clinics etc. Meanwhile, I was also hired to be the sports development officer for the Birmingham Communities League to work with the county soccer association to deliver a diverse, multi-ethnic, accessible, soccer league and program which would signpost many at-risk people and mainly new immigrant groups in Birmingham to additional services to ensure a better quality of life using soccer as a vehicle of support.

Upon completing my contract with the Birmingham Communities League I took a role with one of America's leading youth soccer providers to build a grassroots/recreational program for a club in San Jose. Working with the youngest recreational players my job was to implement a club philosophy and practice curriculum to deliver a fun, safe and player-centred environment to build a positive and professional experience in soccer to grow a passion for the game and a desire to improve. interlinked with this role was being a head coach for the new emerging age groups for the club's competitive program at U7, U8 and U9 growing with the players to enhance their experiences and place into age and skill-appropriate groups for optimal success and enjoyment for them. My final role for the club on the field was to be the head coach of their elite teams, coaching at major tournaments and identifying players to go to the FC Bayern (our major affiliate club) residential camps, to work with their academy coaches and select players to experience their academic program in Germany.

In 2020 I moved to Los Angeles to replicate my work in the grassroots/recreational programs for a newly established club in the Glendale area.