ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) today announced the appointment of Orlando City Head Coach, Adrian Heath, as the Director of Coaching. Heath, who brings over 35 years of professional playing and coaching experience, has a UEFA Pro coaching license, the highest coaching award in the professional game. Heath will continue in his day-to-day role as Head Coach of the pro team, while also taking responsibility for setting the playing philosophy of the club, as well as the youth coaches development and education.
“It has been a long time dream of mine to see the complete development structure come together under the leadership of the pro team,” said Heath. “With the merger of FSA and CFK under Orlando City Youth Soccer, we have the opportunity to create the preeminent youth club in the region, if not Florida. I want to see all our teams playing the ‘Orlando City Way,’ passing the ball, lots of movement and a strong emphasis on skill development at the right age.”
Heath was quick to thank interim Director of Coaching, Greg Brick, for all his hard work in helping set-up the right youth structure while Heath focused his attention on getting the pro team ready for their unbeaten start to the 2012 season. Brick will take the post of Technical Director at OCYS, working closely with Heath to implement the new soccer training curriculum and supporting the new OCYS Academy Directors.
Completing the new posts is the appointment of Hue Menzies as Director of Soccer Operations. Menzies, the former Executive Director at CFK, will be responsible for the scheduling, day-to-day operations at the club as well as serve as program manager for the Girls ECNL program.
“With these new appointments I believe we have the best qualified and most experienced youth leadership team in the region,” said Brian Pederson, OCYS Executive Director.
Tryouts for the new OCYS teams will take place starting on May 29th.
