Sporting Denver

David and Keith Mayer combined their knowledge and desire to provide better experiences for athletes, which led to them writing their #1 best selling book, “Gold Dust: How to Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly.” 

And now #1 again with “The Lone Wolf” A story about assumptions, authenticity and actions.

https://www.thegolddustcoach.com/courses-and-mentoring

Join Richie and the Gold Dust crew again for part 2, sprinkling particles of knowledge.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINK…

TWITTER… 

@keithmayer5

@djmayer3

@GoldDustPodcast

WEBSITE… www.thegolddustcoach.com 

As two ex-soccer players who represented professional clubs, David and Keith both followed similar paths in their playing careers. They both played in England, and David played in Spain. Both David and Keith had relatively successful college careers in America. David was a two-year captain at a #1 ranked Division 1 school, while Keith captained a winning National Championship team and was named MVP in 1982. They both suffered very similar injuries throughout their careers, both retiring at young ages.

After retiring from playing, both David and Keith started coaching. Keith became one of the youngest UEFA A License coaches in England at the time, passing in 1985. Keith was mentored by and was a close friend of one of the greatest coach educators of all time, Dick Bate, who sadly passed away in 2017. Keith worked alongside Dick, presenting on Pro License courses, among other things.

Keith has coached ex England Internationals while working at three highly successful Academies in England and is currently coaching at Liverpool FC’s prestigious Academy. Keith is also currently an FA Affiliate Tutor and presented on the FA Level 4 Psychology course for over a decade.

He has been a National Team Head Coach on an interim basis for one of England’s National Teams and was the Head Coach for England U20’s Cerebral Palsy Team on their winning trip to Brazil in 2013.

Keith has personally mentored Premier League Footballers, England National Team Coaches, a Pride of Britain Winner, a World Champion athlete, a PGA Golfer, an Assistant Manager of a Football League Club in England, personnel within soccer in America, personnel within the South Korean Football Association and many more. Keith is highly respected across the world for his work, delivering on six continents.

Keith’s credentials and experiences were valuable for David on his journey as a coach. For David, being able to get guidance, and observe some of the finest coach educators in the world not only helped him understand the time, organisation and fine details that go into being elite, but also enabled him to gain invaluable experiences to continue to help his progression as a person. David’s upbringing was distinctive and provided a platform that most others would not receive.

David just completed his UEFA A License and was an Assistant Coach at the National Champion Pfeiffer University Soccer Team and Manchester City Football Schools. He has also coached and delivered on four continents and has recently accepted a position to become the Global Head of Foundation Phase for a club based out of Utah called 7Elite Academy.

Both David and Keith are NLP Master Practitioners, which helped shape their values and beliefs, and in turn greatly helped the athletes they have worked with.

The Lone Wolf: “A story about assumptions, authenticity and action’

The Lon

Brendan Hines-Ike (born November 30, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club D.C. United on loan from Belgian club KV Kortrijk. SportingDenver and the crew dig up old turf to map out Brendan’s current soccer adventure and there is some mileage in it. 

INSTAGRAM… @hinesikeofficial

TWITTER… @BHines21

Youth and College

Hines-Ike started out playing as a forward when he was a kid. He played for his local club named Chivas Denver and credits many of his early successes to them. After playing for two more different clubs he was recruited to join his older brother in the youth ranks of Major League Soccer side Chivas USA. Hines-Ike played for the Chivas USA U-18 team from 2011–12, as team captain he led the team with 25 matches started, playing the most minutes on the squad. Hines-Ike along with Chivas USA U-18 teammates Marky Delgado (who played for Chivas USA and currently for Toronto FC), and Jake McGuire (who currently plays for Örebro SK), among others, signed pro deals after playing for Chivas USA youth academy and college thereafter.

Hines-Ike then went on to play in college where he spent three years with Creighton Bluejays going to one College Cup and one Elite Eight. Hines-Ike trained with MLS Club Chivas USA Reserves and first team during summer offseason as well as captained Chivas USA U-23 PDL team. Selected as one of two team captains to start the season at USF, the 21-year-old started all 20 games in his first and only season as a Bull. He was named to the American Athletic Conference First Team, recording two goals on the season. In 2013, he was also named to the All-Big East Second Team while at Creighton. From there he went on to play one season with South Florida Bulls before signing with Swedish Allsvenskan club Örebro SK before the start of the 2016 Allsvenskan season.

Örebro SK

After signing a four-year contract with Örebro, Hines-Ike was drafted by the Montreal Impact in the third round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Hines-Ike made his full professional debut in the Allsvenskan against Djurgården on April 3, 2016. Hines-Ike scored his first professional goal in the 69th minute in a 3:2 win ag

I am a firecracker from Colorado. I am a graduate from Iowa State with a degree in Journalism Mass Communication, and a double Minor in Psych and International Studies. I have played soccer since I was two and have been honored to play Division 1 soccer for Iowa State University where I studied abroad for a month to learn Spanish. Through this experience I have found my love of sports casting and completed impressive internships to help me hone my skills and leadership abilities for this field. Through my time with the Iowa Cubs videography team, Athlete Network intern and my recent time as the Sports Intern for KCCI News, I have been able to add to my portfolio while growing my confidence. I will attend Oxford Brookes University in Headington England, to receive my Masters in Journalism this coming year.

At 23 I can say I am proud to be who I am. I have achieved every goal I have set my sights on. When I was seven years old I decided I wanted to play D1 women’s soccer in college before I even knew how to juggle. All I knew was that I loved to work hard, I loved to compete; I loved having a dream to chase. I was told I would never make the best team in the state; I did. I was told I would never get a collegiate offer. I was recruited by 9 different Division 1 programs, and verbally committed to play Division 1 soccer in 2013 when I was offered a scholarship to play at the University of Arkansas as a Freshman in High school. I ended up transferring out, and the head coach told me I would never make it off the bench at any college. I have started for Iowa State and had a very successful career. I am constantly having my intelligence undermined because I am blond, female and positive. I have been on the deans list since attending Iowa State, I win First team Big 12 academic award every semester and am on scholarship for my upcoming graduate school. I am now going on to play soccer in England for Oxford Brookes, with other offers from four different English Universities and a program in Florence, Italy. 

As a strong female, I intend to take the sports casting world by storm and provide others the example of just what tenacity can do; especially women who feel they are being undermined, I want to inspire them to speak up and pursue all they can. The bottom line is everyone can have an opinion and you can respect that, but no-one can tell you what you're capable of or stop you from achieving your dreams. 

As a journalist and videographer, I promise to live by the following statements:

• I will take responsibility for the accuracy of my work.
• I will verify all facts prior to releasing it to the public.
• I will use original sources whenever possible.
• I will use honesty and fairness to build my credibility and trust.
• I will ensure every person is treated with dignity and respect.
• I will ensure the work place is safe from sexual harassment, racism and other intolerable acts by using my voice and having an observant eye.
• I will always work hard to do the story justice in its truth.
• I will not manufacture the truth in what is being documented by interfering with the subject at hand.
• I will hold myself and those around me to the highest standard, and I will report when the standard is not met.
• I will not sacrifice myself or integrity in order to achieve, release a story or support a coworker

FC Denver is the top adult-amateur soccer club in Denver Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Founded in 2006, through hard work and commitment we’ve grown into the championship soccer club we are today. Since 2006 through hard work and commitment they have grown into a powerhouse and recognised as one of the top clubs in Colorado and the women's program is now on the move and growing in stature. 

Richie English brings you the big picture, “the story so far”. 

INSTAGRAM… fc_denver

TWITTER… @FC_Denver 

E-MAIL… [email protected] 

WEBSITE… www.fcdenver.org 

Club History

The Football Club of Denver (FC Denver) was founded by Eric Ridgeway Fulton over the Winter of 2005/2006. The club began with one men's team who played their first match March 13th, 2006. In August of that year, the quickly improving squad won the 2nd division in the Colorado State Cup in a memorable come-from-behind championship victory. It was only the team's 2nd tournament ever, and that unforgettable championship put the club on an early path to success.

The club began to expand, and 4 years after inception by 2009, the club had 8 teams (Men, Women, and Coed) and over 150 members. In October of 2010, the Club won its first Men's D1 League Championship. From 2010 onwards, FC Denver Men's, Women's, Over-30's, and more recently U23's have been competing at the highest levels of Colorado Adult soccer with multiple championships among them. The Men' Team has qualified twice for the US Open Cup thorough open qualifying for the 2018 and 2019 tournaments.

Off the field, the Club places special emphasis on connecting communities. Both being a home for our member friendships and memories, and by reaching out to our Denver metro community through community service and fundraising events. We are passionate about soccer and the value of bringing people together.

Overview of Current Teams

Men - Founded 2006

Consistently one of the best Men's teams in state and region. The team is a two time US Open Cup Qualifier (progressed to 2nd round both occasions), and a four time Colorado D1 League champion. Squad is led by Head Coach Andy Goellner and Assistant Coach Brian Sheehan

U23 - Founded: 2018

Our Commitment to Player development is geared around our U23 team. In Fall of 2020, our Men's U23 team won promotion to the Colorado Premier League 1st Division. Our Women's team is set to start Summer of 2021. Both programs will offer Spring, Summer, and Fall Programming. Currently participating in the Colorado Premier League Men's Premier Division (D1). Squad is led by Head Coach & Director of Player Development Hank Lewis and Assistant Coach Andy Kohel.

Women - Founded: 2008 (White & Green 2021)

Our Women's program, strong throughout its existence, is focused on creating a dynasty and proving an elite playing option for Colorado's best female players. Our White squad is ready to win silverware and compete with anyone. Our Green squad is developing players for the future. As we grow our program, the Women's Green team will provide a platform for players to play elite women's soccer and continue their development. Both squads currently participate in the Colorado Premier League Women's Division. White squad is led by Head Coach Jami Cobb, Green squad led by Head Coach and Club Vice President Karol Bird-Gomez.

 Saana Koljonen is a high performance behavior coach and consultant helping athletes, coaches, teams, and programs to discovertheir limitless performance that focuses on their own strengths and authenticity through behavioral assessments + consultation. Empower yourself – empower your “team”. 

Richie looks to level up and raise the bar investigating Saana’s methodology and her story. Check in.

INSTAGRAM… saanakoljonen

TWITTER… @SaanaKoljonen

WEBSITE… www.saanakoljonen.com 

…how I went from “I’m not enough.” to  “What if I am enough?“

to “Umm heck yeah, I definitely am!” to “Ok others need to know about this, too!“

 I am Saana, and my name happens to be a mountain in Finland where I’m from, which is just a perfect illustration of my belief that we are all here to climb our own mountain, to reach our own best and see what we are capable of (and not your neighbors). I tested my limits in professional sports as a volleyball player until December 2018 came and swept my legs out from under me. Literally.

During that long and unpleasant fight against a nasty bacterial infection in my ankle, I had to start letting go of my big dreams as an athlete. It felt like someone blew out the candles of my birthday cake before I got to do it.

After that dark moment, I saw one of the candles flickering. The glimpse was a passion that was still alive within me. I gently coaxed the flicker to a flame… And to a bonfire. It is built on understanding and unlocking the power of our mindsets and the importance of authenticity in sports and life. Light up! 

December 2018: I went from a professional athlete to a bed patient in one day. A long story short: I got a nasty bacterial infection in my ankle while I was living my dream and playing professional volleyball in France. I had to go through four surgeries, 4 months in bed, and a pretty surreal life change. Ok, very surreal. But it was damn real.

Spring 2019: I stayed sane by staying active, not physically but mentally. Learning like a lizard. Ok that’s not a saying but it rhymes. I listened to podcasts, read books and articles, watched documentaries, took online classes and started working for Extended DISC Finland/Finxs Global basically from my bed in Finland.

July 2019: I could not stay in Finland where my volleyball bubble is and I got a chance to  coach/learn more about the coaching side of volleyball at Colorado University of Boulder as a volunteer coach so I said YES, packed my bags and moved to Denver! 

Fall 2019: I kept working with the Sports Capacity Assessment we created with Extended DISC while working for CU and I realized more about the impact I can have in the (sports) world after sports as well… 

So I kept drumming the idea of authenticity, knowing yourself better, your personality and strengths, using time to do that inner / mindset work. So, other people would not need to underperform. They could thrive authentically! But then…

When I think of the Colorado Rapids greats, Marcelo Balboa is the first one to come to mind. The defender is not only one of the best players in Rapids history, but he is one of the best in the history of Major League Soccer.

Cello was the first superstar in Rapids history and already became the first player to ever earn 100 caps for the US Men’s National Team in 1995 and had helped lead the way in two FIFA World Cups. Drop with Cello Balboa and myself on what looks likely to be an absolute belter. Richie……. #letsoccerhappen 

INSTAGRAM… marcelobalboa17

TWITTER… @marcelobalboa17

E-MAIL… [email protected]

Marcelo Balboa (born August 8, 1967) is an American retired soccer defender who played in the 1990s for the U.S. national team, becoming its captain. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

After retiring from playing, he has worked as a commentator for ESPN and ABC and MLS games on HDNet and Altitude, as well as FIFA World Cup games on Univision. He is currently the head boys' soccer coach for Monarch High School in Louisville, Colorado

Youth

Balboa, who is of Argentine descent, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Cerritos, California. Balboa played youth soccer for Fram-Culver, which won the 1986 McGuire Cup (U-19 National Championship). Balboa's father, Luis Balboa who played professionally in Argentina and with the Chicago Mustangs of the North American Soccer League, coached him. In 1985, Balboa graduated from Cerritos High School.

Balboa attended Cerritos College, a local two-year community college from 1986 to 1987. At Cerritos, Balboa was both placekicker on the football team and a two-time 1st Team All-South Coast Conference soccer player. Cerritos College has retired Balboa's jersey number – #3.  In 1988, Balboa transferred to San Diego State University where he was a 1988 First Team and a 1989 Second Team All American soccer player.

Professional

From 1987 to 1989, Balboa played the collegiate off-seasons on an amateur contract with the professional

Join the host Richard Weston as he interviews his coaching friends from Liverpool and 7 Elite Academy talk about their new book Gold Dust. 

Sporting Denver host Richie English gets well educated on “Hispanic Soccer Culture in Colorado” Although I’m heavily involved with the Hispanic soccer community I’m always open to finding out more. Maribelia is a leader for the youth organization in Denver and her passion and desire to support the game and the community is inspirational. All are welcome.

Enough said. Tune in and give it a whirl. ‘Anima a todos’. Go on then. Cheers everyone. Richie.

TWITTER… @MaribeliaA

TWITTER… @casa_sport

E-MAIL… [email protected]

WEBSITE…www.casasport.com

Founder and CEO of CASA FC and owner Lead Trainer of Mas-Fit.

Maribelia serves as the President and CEO of the Community Athletics Sports Academy (C.A.S.A) in Denver, Colorado, a not-for-profit organization she co-founded in 2008 that uses soccer as a vehicle to promote healthy living, responsible behavior and academic excellence among Denver’s inner-city youth and their families. Since 2008, more than 2,000 youth have enrolled in C.A.S.A.’s programs, which operates throughout the calendar year.

Maribelia also serves as the President of Hermosa Fitness, a small business founded in 2006 that promotes fitness and healthy living among Latinos in the Denver Metropolitan Area.

“Independently, I provide personal fitness training to individuals interested in more concentrated fitness regimens and one-on-one coaching”.

C.A.S.A. FC is an exciting sports program that recruits youth ages four (4) to eighteen (18) into competitive soccer teams while pairing them with coaches who serve as role models and mentors during all related training and activities.

Currently, parents are provided with opportunities to understand the impact sports can play in their child’s life while also being exposed to best practices about fitness, mental health, nutrition and educational advancement.

Promoting fitness and healthy living among Latinos in the Denver Metropolitan Area.

Mas-Fit is frequently contacted by community-serving institutions such as The American Diabetes Association, LiveWell Colorado, Clinica Tepeyac and Aurora Community Connections, among others, to provide strength and conditioning coaching via tailored bootcamps and special events and also works in association with Sporting Denver and the “let W.A.L.K’ program. LINK…...TO PAGE

All of our trainers are certified, which means they’ve been trained in anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. They understand that no two bodies are alike and will work with you to get fit at the right pace.

My curiosity (yes I have a cat) over the last few years being around the legendary Esse Baharmast here in Denver has led me to investigate the culture of the referee. Lee and I connected last year and have been talking the game inside out ever since and am super stoked to get him to have a chat…….. Join us for some terrific banter and more referee culture. Hopefully it’s not an early exit for me. Richie.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINK…

INSTAGRAM… par4sports

TWITTER… @SportsPar4

WEBSITE…www.par4sports.com

Lee William Probert (born 13 August 1972) is a former English professional football referee who officiated primarily in the Premier League. He was born in South Gloucestershire but is now based in Wiltshire and is associated with the Wiltshire Football Association

He refereed in the Premier League, the top level in the English football league pyramid, since his promotion to the panel of Select Group Referees in 2007. In 2010, he officiated the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium and in 2014 he took charge of the FA Cup final, the highest refereeing honor in England.

Probert began refereeing in 1986, in leagues local to Bristol and later in the Football Conference South. He was promoted to the assistant referees' list for the Football League in 1998, and made the step up to full referee five years later. He refereed his first FA Cup match on 17 November 2001, taking charge of a first-round tie between Dagenham & Redbridge and Southport, which was settled for the home side by a first-half penalty kick.

His first match after elevation to the Football League national list of referees was a League Two encounter in August 2003 between Northampton Town and Torquay United.

In May 2007, Probert refereed a League One play-off semi-final second-leg which saw Blackpool defeat Oldham Athletic 3–1.

In July 2007 a press release from the Professional Game Match Officials Board, which employs Premier League referees full-time, stated that Probert had been included in the Select Group of 19 referees for the 2007–08 season. Prior to this, he had been trialled in the top-tier during the previous season, being appointed a fixture between Sheffield United and Portsmouth in January 2007 which ended in a 1–1 draw.

In May 2010 Probert was the referee for the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium between Barrow and Stevenage Borough.

He was appointed fourth official for the 2011 FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Stoke City.

In May 2014, Probert refereed the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium between Arsenal and Hull City. Arsenal came back from 2–0 down to win the match 3–2 in extra-time.

Probert missed the whole of the 2015/16 season due to injury. He returned to refereeing in August 2016 but despite remaining a member of the Select Group of Referees he did not take charge of a Premier League fixture until 1 April, 2017, when Watford v Sunderland became his first top-flight appointment in almost two years.

In September 2019, Probert announced his retirement from refereeing due to a persistent back injury.

Lee now works with upcoming referees in all age groups as a consultant and mentor and as Managing Director of Par4Sports providing training facilities to organizations in Spain, Portugal and U.A.E.