Snap Soccer Podcast

Frank Jones and the Youth Soccer Referee Pool

Soccer is growing more than ever! Referee, mentor, and assignor, Frank Jones, joins the show to speak on the status of the youth soccer referee pool, what could be causing a decline in numbers, and what the impact of all of this means to clubs that rely on referees for tournaments and league play.

Bill Elliot and Developing Youth Soccer

University of West Florida Men's Head Soccer Coach Bill Elliot is on the show discussing how he got into coaching and the avenues that opened up in his life to make a career out of it. Bill shares his views on youth soccer in the country as well as potential remedies he feels could change the game of soccer for the better. With decades of experience scouting and recruiting players, Bill details a few traits and characteristics that he looks for in assembling his teams. Bill Elliot is also the technical director for Chattanooga FC, a professional soccer club founded in 2009. The team is a member of the National Premier Soccer League. Resources For more info. on UWF Men's Soccer [http://goargos.com/index.aspx?path=msoc&] For more info. on Chattanooga FC [https://www.chattanoogafc.com/] Changing the Game Project [https://changingthegameproject.com/] NPSL [https://www.npsl.com/]

Brian Barlow and Referees

Brian Barlow is on the show to discuss the state of referees in the country and proposes hypothetical remedies to help fix the situation. Brian highlights the attitude toward referees that has seemingly caused a decline in referee pools as of late. Launching a program 'Offside Academy' to help educate young referees, Brian's aim is to build confidence and pedigree with the future of referees. The candid chatter between host and guest vividly present real life experiences that they believe has attributed to a referee shortage and a decline in retention. Offside - @youreoffside on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/youreoffside] For the love of the game - about Brian Barlow's mission [https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/About-Brian] Brian on Good Morning America - Article [https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/referee-shames-ill-behaved-parents-videos-show-act-56683957] USSF [https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/06/five-things-to-know-about-the-new-referee-pathway]

Gerry McKeown, US Soccer Models and Player Development

Coach Gerry is Boys Director of the ID2 Program and the Director of PDA in New Jersey. He has coached for multiple youth clubs, ODP programs, College Teams and had the opportunity to play professionally. On the show, we talk about the ID2 program, its history and player success. The conversation goes into details around the development models in the US vs Outside the US and hit on topics that are characteristic of all great soccer players. Learn More About the ID2 Program Here, https://www.usclubsoccer.org/id2-program [https://www.usclubsoccer.org/id2-program] Learn More About PDA, http://www.pdasoccer.org/ [http://www.pdasoccer.org/] Listen to other Podcast by SnapSoccer, https://snapsoccer.com/podcast [https://snapsoccer.com/podcast]

Andrew Brower, ECNL and the new Soccer World

Andrew Brower , Executive Director of BUSA, is on the show! Brower reflects on his youth and the certain factors that helped guide him to where he currently resides in Birmingham. COVID-19 has caused many clubs to evolve. Brower speaks on the continued uncertainty of the future of youth soccer while praising his community and staff that has made the process easier for his club. Other topics include his use of technology, such as Zoom, that has allowed communication, competition, and online training to flourish.