In April 2021 the second cohort of coaches began Celtic Soccer Academy’s Online Coach Mentoring Programme. This group consisted of 20 coaches representing 12 different clubs worldwide and two academic institutions in Loughborough University and Glasgow Clyde College. An individual coach development plan was designed for each coach which provided the direction for the six months of mentoring. Each coach was also set a number of coaching assignments and were invited to attend webinars delivered by Fran Alonso (Celtic FC Women’s Team Head Coach), Greig Robertson (Celtic FC U18 Coach) and John McStay (Intermediate Academy Coach).

Joe Arone, President of Rancocas Valley Soccer Club in New Jersey said: “I have been extremely happy with the results of Celtic Soccer Academy’s Online Coach Mentoring Programme. The help and guidance from the tutors was first class and our club and players will greatly benefit from this experience and our new 7v7 Curriculum.”

As the programme draws to a conclusion at the end of September, each coach will be provided with an individual coach action plan to help guide future development alongside a Celtic FC coach education certificate and gift.

Celtic’s Senior International Soccer Academy Manager, Chris Smith added: “This cohort of coaches have been a joy to work with over the last six months and I have to thank them for their commitment to the programme but more importantly their commitment to develop themselves as professional coaches. I look forward to watching their journeys from afar and I am excited to see what comes next for them all.”

The 20 coaches who have graduated from this programme are:

Shea Treanor, Glasgow Clyde College, Scotland

Mark Meighan, Glasgow Clyde College, Scotland

Callum Crockard, Loughborough University, England

Jonathan Delaney, Pike Rovers FC, Ireland

Jason Sheehan, Aisling Annacotty FC, Ireland

Steve Millan, Aisling Annacotty FC, Ireland

Connor Madden, Aisling Annacotty FC, Ireland

Joe Arone, Rancocas Valley SC, USA

Mark Presutti, Niagara International FC, Canada

Andre Pacheco, Niagara International FC, Canada

David Simpson, Yardley Makefield Soccer, USA

Mohammad Abdel Wahab, BSC Glasgow, Scotland

Anne Leboo, Elkhorn Athletics, USA

Ray Geoghegan, Real Football Academy, Ireland

John McNamee, Real Football Academy, Ireland

Andrew Witt, McFarland SC, USA

Rachael Holden, North Texas Celtic, USA

Andy Bradley, Redlands FC, Australia

Laura Daly, Celtic FC Girls Academy

Robbie Kelly, Celtic FC Girls Academy

The application process for the next cohort of coaches is now open with the programme beginning in October 2021 and running through to March 2022. Should you be interested in applying for the programme please get in touch using the contact details below and a programme brochure will be emailed to you.

To join the next group on this programme please contact: Chris Smith, Senior International Soccer Academy Manager. Email: csmith@celticfc.co.uk

Celtic Soccer Academy completes its second online coach mentoring programme