Nico C.

I've worked with a lot of kids and young adults to help them develop and enhance their skills towards the game. Groups as small as 1 person to as large as 30 people, including school visits as well as one-on-one sessions, from ages 3-18 years old.

I did voluntary work services with my school (Valparaiso University) and the Des Moines Menace Soccer within their communities for a good cause and marketing the organization.

International playing experience:
- I have played for the Jamaica National team at all youth levels (u17, u20, u23).
- Starting goal keeper in the 2011 u17 World Cup against Japan and Argentina
- Starting goal keeper for the u23 Olympic qualifiers in 2015.

Professional experience and awards:
- Signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2017 season - I'm on the verge of starting my professional career.
- Played with the Des Moines Menace PDL team in 2015 and 2016 season.
- Named conference Goal Keeper of the Year in 2016
- Top 3 finalists for PDL goal keeper of the year 2016.

Collegiate experience and awards:
- Played at Valparaiso University (graduated December 2016).
- Starting goal keeper for 3 full seasons (2014-2016).
- Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015
- Horizon League All-Conference First Team in 2015.
- Horizon League All-Conference Second Team in 2016.
- Accumulated 6 Defensive Player of the Week Honors within a 3 year span.
- Hold school record for second in shutouts (22), just one shy of the record (23).
- Best goal against average in school history as a goalkeeper.
- Was recently listed as an eligible draftee for the Major League Soccer 2017 draft.

With my experience, ability and knowledge for the game I focus on every aspect of it, anything that you can think of it - we can work on it. I would love to work with goal keepers since that is the main position I played in, but I started playing soccer as a center forward and a defender, so my knowledge expands way beyond.

Typical I try to have as much fun as possible with my sessions - making it very competitive and rewarding. My players normally love it and can't wait for their next session.

We normally go through a warm up for a couple minutes depending on how long the session is and the number of players at the sessions. Warm ups focus on the skills you would use throughout the game. For example, goalkeepers would do handling exercises while the other players will do passing drills. For younger kids to be more engaged, I have more fun-filled exercises for toddlers which helps them develop their skills as well. These skills will then be carried over into the next phase of the session where we will have game-like situations, and that's where it becomes more competitive to help develop players mentality about winning and having fun at the same time.

At the end of each session I will have a recover cool down to ensure each everyone is recovered and ready for the next day.