The Celtic Huddle: The Official Podcast of Oklahoma Celtic FC

In this episode of The Celtic Huddle, we talk all things about our Recreational program at Celtic, as well as, get to know our Recreational Director, Jessica Knehans. Enjoy the episode!As always, if you have a question about today's episode, or an idea for a topic, we would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] all the info you heard today and more, visit www.oklahomaceltic.comCHAPTER LIST:0:00 - Intro3:28 - Meet Jessica Knehans7:35 - Overview of our Recreation Program10:30 - Recreational Programs for All Ages17:44 - Vision for Recreational Program20:00 - New Recreational Initiatives24:33 - Parent Questions

In this episode of The Celtic Huddle, we talk all things about our Academy program at Celtic, as well as, get to know our new Academy Director, Michael Thomas. Enjoy the show!As always, if you have a question about today's episode, or an idea for a topic, we would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] all the info you heard today and more, visit www.oklahomaceltic.comCHAPTER LIST:0:00 - Intro2:38 - Meet Michael Thomas 7:05 - Becoming Academy Director9:12 - What is Academy?13:52 - A few thoughts on the World Cup 17:14 - What league does Academy play in?19:59 - An emphasis on Development21:42 - What is your vision for the Academy Program?25:19 - What are some things you have implemented since becoming Director?31:26 - Academy Evaluations and Team Placement35:23 - When should my player move to Academy?40:58 - What advice would you give an Academy Parent?

This episode explores Oklahoma Celtic's holistic approach to player development, introducing exciting new Player Development Initiatives, including mental performance coaching, strength and conditioning programs, and enhanced individual development plans.

We also dive deep into the college recruiting process with Director of College Recruiting, Trevor LaFoon, who provides invaluable guidance on navigating the path to collegiate soccer for both boys and girls.

CHAPTER LIST:

2:39 - 26/27 Celtic Tryout Information

4:40 - ECNL-RL League Realignment

6:00 - Listener Question

9:29 - The Importance of Development

11:28 - Player Development Initiative 1: Mental Performance Coach

13:52 - Player Development Initiative 2: Strength and Conditioning/Injury Prevention Coach

15:50 - Celtic's Holistic Approach to Development

16:55 - Player Development Initiative 3: Sleep/Nutrition Education

17:37 - Other Player Development Initiatives: Increased Film Focus/Improved IDP

18:46: Celtic's Vision for Player Development

21:16 - Meet Trevor Laffoon

22:05 - About the Director of College Recruiting Role 

25:50 - At What Age Should I Start the Recruiting Process?

41:33 - The Celtic Pathway

In this episode of The Celtic Huddle, our Boys Competitive Director, Danny Gibson, and our Girls Competitive Director, Niall Burley, peel back the curtain on:

- A breakdown of the new leagues we will be joining

- The 26/27 Coaching Slate

- ID Sessions

- Tryouts

- Listener Questions (including an in-depth look into the process of team placement)

It is a good one, so enjoy it and share it with a friend!

If you have a question or an idea for a topic, we would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Key Moments in this Episode:

0:00 Intro

2:50 Episode Agenda

3:30 Age Group Change Update

6:50 New Girls Leagues (GA and NPL)

18:30 New Boys Leagues (ECNL-RL and NPL)

27:50 Girls 26/27 Coaching Slate

32:35 Boys 26/27 Coaching Slate

40:30 ID Sessions

46:30 Tryouts

49:45 Listener Questions (team placement process)

1:01:50 Outro

In this episode of The Celtic Huddle, we get to know our new Competitive Boys Director, Danny Gibson. We will learn a bit about how he got here, his coaching philosophy and his vision for the Boys Competitive Program and players at Celtic. We also spent some time talking all things OSC Celtic Cup, which will be the largest tournament we have hosted to date with 276 teams! We are excited about hosting teams from all over the region and the positive impact it will have on our local community!We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or an idea for a topic, email us at [email protected].

Our first Celtic Huddle podcast features Executive Director, Ryan Trudgian and Technical Director, Niall Burley.

Along with our host, Aubrey Sanchez, they discuss the upcoming age group change (effective Fall 2026), our recent staff retreat, and some of the things we are doing at Celtic to see every player develop, on and off the field.

Key Moments in this Episode

00:00 - 00:35: Intro

00:36 - 02:13: Why the Celtic Huddle?

02:13 - 10:58: Celtic Staff Retreat Recap/Takeaways

10:58 - 14:40: What is the Age Group Change in Fall 2026?

14:40 - 16:29: Some Benefits of the Age Group Change

16:29 - 18:18: What Age Group will a player be in?

18:18 - 21:05: Age Group Change in our Recreational Program

21:05 - 21:25: Age Group Change in our Academy Program

21:25 - 22:22: Case by Case Age Group Placement

22:22 - 27:59: Year Round Evaluation

28:47 - 29:35: Developing All Levels of Players/Teams

29:35 - 33:45: Age Group Change in our Competitive Program

33:45 - 36:25: New Age Group Pool Trainings

36:25 - 40:25: Upcoming Events/Communication from the Club

40:25 - 43:03: Closing/Send Us Your Topic Ideas

If you have a question or an idea for a topic, email us at [email protected]

Mentioned Links:

Newsletter

Age Group List

Oklahoma Celtic Website

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