Coaches Association Adds Acclaimed Course to Education Catalog

Kansas City, Mo. (May 1, 2019) – United Soccer Coaches will unveil the new National Youth Diploma, modeled after the gold standard of U.S. youth soccer education, with two 40-hour courses scheduled for this summer.

The original National Youth accreditation course was developed by distinguished coaching educators Dr. David Carr, Dr. Ron Quinn and the late Dr. Tom Fleck along with former US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching, Sam Snow. It was first the National Youth License then later the National Youth Certificate and in both forms was praised by its hundreds of graduates across the coaching spectrum as one of the most valuable courses offered in the U.S.

The courses will be held June 6-9 in Seattle, Wash. and a two-weekend course July 12-14 and 19-21 outside Jacksonville, Fla. in Fleming Island.

“The National Youth License was the best and most useful coaching award I have ever taken,” said Ian Barker, United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Education, in announcing the new Diploma. “The content of the course continues to provide me with tools and insights into how to best understand and provide for the needs of individual, groups and teams of players. It was a superb educational experience.”

The new course curriculum has been developed by the original living authors under the direction of Barker and United Soccer Coaches Education Content Coordinator Vince Ganzberg. It is now part of the association’s extensive coaching education catalog.

The new National Youth Diploma will continue to be centered on the concept of “developmentally appropriate” training designed to address the physical, cognitive, socio-emotional abilities of players, in their context, Barker explained.

“That United Soccer Coaches can make sure this wonderful course lives on with content refreshed by original authors of the course is something I am very proud of. In my opinion young aspiring coaches and experienced and committed coaches alike should make sure they build their education pathway on the foundation of the new and improved National Youth Diploma,” said Barker.

“It has been a privilege to work on the development of the new National Youth Diploma that is designed to unlock the game in every child, a concept created by Dr. Ron Quinn that serves as the foundation of this course,” said Dr. Carr, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Ohio University’s Online Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching. “We are excited to be able to offer this important educational program for coaches of young players.”

For details about the course and to register, visit UnitedSoccerCoaches.org.