DC Soccer Club Welcomes Two New Full Time Staff Members
DC Soccer Club has hired Joe Iraola and Colleen McNickle as the Youth Program Director and the Director of Communications and Engagement, respectively.
WASHINGTON- DC Soccer Club, D.C.’s largest youth soccer organization, has hired two new Directors to their full time staff. Joe Iraola comes to DC Soccer Club from the Player Progression Academy where he served in many roles including Director of Communications and Marketing for the last 5 years. Prior to PPA, Iraola played four years at American University. Iraola will work as the Youth Program Director for DC Soccer Club. In this role, Iraola oversees the Tots, Future Stars, and after school programs.
Colleen McNickle received a Bachelors in Media Studies and Political Science from Radford University before completing her Masters degree in Strategic Communications from Radford University in May. McNickle works as the Director of Communications and Engagement. She is tasked with developing, leading, and implementing the club’s communications and engagement strategy.
Iraola’s background as a coach and player brings experience into his role with the DC Soccer Club.“I am most excited to bring my strong passion for teaching the sport I love to the next generation of players,” said Iraola. “The club has great programs and I hope to bring them to different parts of the D.C. area and give opportunities to players who may not have access to our programs right now,” he continued.
McNickle’s background studying communications at the graduate level has provided her knowledge she is ready to put into action at the club. “I am so glad I work somewhere that allows me to take what I learned in school and translate it into something meaningful for the club. This position marries my passion for communications and my lifelong love of D.C. sports,” said McNickle.
McNickle hopes to grow the club’s presence online and beyond. “DC Soccer Club has so many wonderful programs and I want to make sure that we are sharing everything about them in a way that is accurate, engaging, and fun,” said McNickle.
WASHINGTON- Recently, DC Soccer Club coaches have obtained new coaching licenses. Scott Currie earned USSF B licenses and Ronny Amaguana earned his USSF C license. Coach Mandi Caseres is in the process of completing the USSF A license, coach Nick Papadis is in the process of completing the USSF B license, and coach Erwin Diaz will be attending the USSF B license.
“It’s great to see our coaches gaining new licenses,” said Technical Director Khaled Hamami. “It will only help our players in their continued development and will help us strengthen as a club.”
The USSF B course that Langstone and Currie completed at the National Training Center in Kansas City is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted to coaching players aged 16 to college level. The course is designed to help coaches to observe and identify tactical and technical breakdowns in game situations, as well as learn to develop and implement appropriate training sessions to meet the demands of the game.
Murphy completed the USSF C course, which included two five-day meetings with a six- to eight-week development period in between wherein candidates return to their home environment for assignments and mentoring. The course covers tasks such as coaching training sessions, coaching games, leading players, leading the team, managing a performance environment and more.
Minton received his UEFA B License, where he took the course in England back in 2017 through the Professional Footballers Association. Over the last two years, he has been completing his course work, as well as continuing his field time which is a twelve month process. In November a PFA Coach assessed him on the field, as well as an interview. This past Christmas he met with a Head of Coaching for the PFA to finalize the license.
For more information on our travel coaches, go to our coaching staff page at https://www.dcsoccerclub.org/travel-coaching-staff.
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