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. 

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

For more info. on Chattanooga FC

Changing the Game Project

NPSL

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

For the love of the game - about Brian Barlow's mission

Brian on Good Morning America - Article

USSF

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

Learn More About PDA, http://www.pdasoccer.org/

Listen to other Podcast by SnapSoccer, https://snapsoccer.com/podcast

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.

G Flores is on the show to discuss what he was able to do in order to keep the spirit of soccer alive during the COVID-19 shutdown. In a time of uncertainty, soccer in Daphne, AL had a very unique perspective on how to push through and come out even more successful on the other side. 

Mini-pitches make an appearance at homes of youth soccer players to keep the essence of soccer alive. G speaks on the gratifying experience of delivering this to his community.

This episode also discusses the return of youth soccer as state and local restrictions ease up. 

Listen to More Episodes on https://snapsoccer.com/

This is our first episode of the SnapSoccer podcast. Its been on our plate for a LONG time and we are excited to get this off the ground. If you have ideas on great topics you want to hear about, reach out, [email protected].

In this episode we talk about the shutdown of club soccer, the creative ideas that club directors came up with and the return of Professional Soccer.

We hope you enjoy!

Host: John Guidroz and Zack Touchstone

This episode is sponsored by http://publix.com/