New Boys Youth Program Director
Long Beach Soccer Club proudly announces the addition of Kevin Elson as our Boys Youth Program Director.
 
The Youth Program Directors are in charge of developing our youth program and teams.
 
Coaching History
Kevin began his coaching career here in the states over 5 years ago after travelling from his native England, UK.  His first appointment was at West Coast FC as a ‘rover’ coach for the girls program as well as his first experience of coaching U9 soccer. During his time at the club Kevin got to work with various teams from the silver to premier levels as well as a state championship winning team who have now gone on to various colleges to play.  

Looking for a more extensive role within the club system, Kevin then moved onto the FC Blades of Irvine where after a year he became the girls youth director.  During his time there his team had various success stories from CSL league champs, Celtic cup and other tournaments wins, before steering a team to the state cup semi finalist place.

He then moved onto North Huntington Beach F.C where in one year he took two teams onto 2nd and 3rd respectively, again with various tournament victories and a sweet 16 spot of league cup.  However after he has now been given the opportunity to come join the Long Beach Soccer Club as boys youth director.

GO LONG BEACH!
 
Coaching Philosophy.
Kevin is a coach who coaches with love not fear; pressuring a child into making decision does not develop a creative mind capable of playing in the top ranks of world soccer.  Soccer is a unique sport which has many various physical and psychological demands, players need to ‘think fast’ to be capable of making good decisions in order to excel the sport. THIS NEEDS TO BE A CAREFUL PROGRESSION. We must perfect step A before moving onto step B.  In order to help and encourage this process coach Kevin believes a heavy believer in guided discovery, by allowing players to make limited mistakes they can gain the knowledge and confidence to make their own decisions. Therefore, creating a freethinking soccer player.

Technical and physical capabilities are paramount and the base from which young players must grow from. With age and improved ability comes more tactical and psychological awareness, as too, does intensity both from the player and his/her coach.
 
Playing Experience
Kevin began his soccer (or football in the UK) as soon as he could walk which was strange as his father was a rugby player.  Once he was old enough to join team he was a part of some very successful youth teams which help propel him to his high school, district (equal to ODP) and county team ( equal to state/regional) through his teens.  He then finished his youth experience at then conference club Dover athletic FC where he quickly graduated from the reserves into the academy and then the first team by 18.  He was fortunate and owes much to the coach Clive Walker, who holds a UEFA A coaching badge which some premier league and national team managers do not hold.  It was here he created his passion for coaching and the rest as they say is history.