Coastal Georgia Soccer Association
Club Director, Tournament Director
&
Summer Camp Director

Gary Wright



Gary started his soccer career at a very early age, and like all English boys, dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. His dream was realized when he was fortunate enough to be offered a contract at age 16 with the English professional club Torquay United, under the then coach and former Scottish World Cup captain Bruce Rioch.


After a successful playing career with Torquay Utd and Yeovil Town, Gary turned to coaching and took his first coaching steps by obtaining the English Football Association Preliminary badge. In 1995/96 Gary was offered the youth coach’s job with Premier Swedish club Vastra Frolunda. After a very successful spell at Vastra Frolunda, which included winning the Gothia Cup (World Youth Cup), Gary was offered the Head Coaches job at Swedish Division 1 club Skovde A.I.K. He guided Skovde A.I.K to second in the division and the 4 th round of the Swedish National Cup.

After numerous offers to keep him in European soccer, Gary decided to lend his soccer knowledge to the youth of the United States and has been in Savannah now for 6 years. In that time Gary has guided club teams to State Finals, Division Championships, numerous tournament wins and even an appearance in a National Championship (Nike Cup). He has also worked as a coach to some of Savannah’s high school teams and was instrumental in laying down the foundation for the success of the girls program at Savannah Country Day School where they reached the State Division AA/A final four. Gary also helped St. Andrew’s to the final four in their State Championship and assisted at Windsor Forest High School when they made it to the final eight. Gary is currently the Director of Coaching for Coastal Georgia Soccer Association, on the ODP Staff for the State of Georgia and holds the USSF ’A’ licensed coaching qualification.

 Skills Summary

       ·      Over 6 Years College coaching experience, 2 years at the professional level, 5 years at the Region III and State Olympic Development Program level, 3 years at the high school level, 15 years in the competitive club system, 2 years at the semi-professional level.

 ·      USSF ‘A’ license, NSCAA ‘Premier’ Diploma, UEFA license holder. USSF ‘Youth’ license

• An honors degree in Sports Science and a soccer specific academic diploma in Science & Football Extensive experience of  delivering coach education and  player development courses (GYSA & NSCAA)
• The ability to design, create, implement and deliver a comprehensive coach/player curriculum. 
•  Proven track record and understanding of working with executive boards from a professional governing-body and also at the club level board.
•  Proven track record of managing, organizing and delivering the day-today operations of a competitive club.
• A most sincere and credible professional with the highest degree of integrity, honesty, knowledge and appreciation for the game.

   Work Experience

Region III ODP - Staff Coach

 Florida Premier Soccer Club - Director of Coaching

 Cape Coral Soccer Club – Technical Director

 NSCAA Coach Educator - Course Instructor

 Georgia Youth Soccer Association – Course Instructor

 Florida ODP - Staff Coach

 Georgia ODP – Staff Coach

 Milton High School - Head Girls Soccer Coach

 Sports Development Solutions - Senior Consultant  

 Georgia State University – Women’s Assistant Coach (voluntary)

 Atlanta United Soccer Association - Technical Director u10-u19
 Director of Speed and Agility Program

 Professional Football Academy

 Queens Park Rangers Football Club & Brentford Football Club

 Professional Academy football Coach

  Brunel University - Head Soccer Coach Women/Assistant Soccer Coach - Men

 Liverpool John Moores University - Head Soccer Coach – Men & Women

 Thomas Danby College - Head Soccer Coach – Men

 Jesuit High School , Beaverton - Assistant Girls Varsity Coach

 St. Nicholas Soccer Club - Manager & Soccer Coach - Semi-Professional Club      

 Mandela Soccer Initiative - Soccer Coach and Coordinator u10-u15

 British Army - Combat Soldier and Physical Training Instructor    

 Education

 Brunel University , London,

 Bs. Honors Degree in Sport Science

 John Moores University , Liverpool,

 Diploma in Higher Education in Science and Football

 Thomas Danby College , Leeds,

 Diploma in Leisure Management and Business Administration

 Certifications

 USSF ‘A’ License; USSF ‘B’ License; USSF ‘National Youth License’

 NSCAA ‘Premier’ Diploma, UEFA License; F.A. Coaching Certificate; F.A. Preliminary Certificate, Soccer Movement System (Speed Agility), ASEP – National High school coaching, NYSCA – National Youth Sports Coaches Association.