Ela Soccer Club

Ela Travel is committed to developing each player to his or her fullest potential. To support this goal, Ela provides professional training to all age levels. See Coaching Staff profiles below

In addition, all Ela Travel teams have a professional trainer as their head coach. Each team is also assigned a parent assistant coach to support the head coach. Every parent assistant coach must hold a state “E” license. See Team Assistant Coach commitment below

Both the trainers and the parent coaches are committed to providing a quality environment that allows for player development. Part of that development does involve getting a player exposed to different training approaches and styles. Therefore, Ela does not support a “one coach for life” philosophy.

Ela Travel uses professional trainers as Head Coaches at all age levels. This creates training and game environments that allow players to develop to their full potential. Our staff includes:

Director of Ela Soccer Club
Gin has over 20 years of professional coaching experience in both the U.S. and England. He has played semi-professionally in England and holds an English F.A. Coaching License. Gin was also a teacher in England for 5 years before coming to the U.S.

Jason has over 10 years of professional coaching experience, including at the High School level. He played professionally in England for 2 years and at the semi-professional level in England for 10 years. He holds an English F.A. Coaching License.

Randy has over 20 years of professional coaching experience, including college and high school. He has played professionally in the U.S. and is a current teacher at Evanston High School.

Tony has over 24 years of professional coaching experience in the US, Australia and Scotland. He played professionally in Australia and Scotland and was a member of the Scotland National Team. He holds a USSF, Australian and Scottish National A License.

Jose has over 10 years of professional coaching experience in the U.S. He has played professionally in both Argentina and the U.S. He was a member of the 1998 Chicago Stingers National Championship Team and twice a member of the “All Star Illinois” Metropolitan League Team. Jose also holds a USSF National License.

Matt Has over 15 years of professional coaching experience in both the U.S. and England. He has played professionally in both countries and was a member of the 1998 Chicago Stingers National Championship Team. Matt also holds an English F.A. Coaching License.

Stewart has over 20 years of professional coaching experience in Australia, Scotland and the U.S. He has also played professionally in both Australia and Scotland. He currently holds a Scottish F.A. Coaching License and an Australian F.A. Coaching License.

Lee has over 20 years of professional coaching experience in England, Switzerland, and the U.S. He has played professionally in England and is the former Head Coach of the Chicago Cobras, a professional woman’s soccer team. Lee is a former teacher and holds an English F.A. Coaching License

Greg has played professionally in the U.S. and was a member of the 1998 U.S. Soccer “Amateur Cup” National Championship Team. He is currently the Head Goalkeeper Coach of Barrington High School and formerly held the same position at Lake Zurich High School.

All Assistant Team Coaches, as parents of players, are bound by the signed Parent Agreement relative to behavior and conduct. However, because of their role with the team, the Club holds the Assistant Team Coaches to a higher standard beyond those expectations spelled out in the Parent Agreement.

In addition to the Parent Agreement, the Assistant Team Coach is expected to:

• Support Head Coach in a positive way that reinforces the teachings and approach of the Head Coach
• Defer to the Head Coach in all matters relating to games, practices, player development and team development
• Ensure players’ safety throughout games and practices
• Maintain a positive approach throughout games and practices that sets an example for players, parents, and spectators
• To be a liaison between the Head Coach and the rest of the team
• To be available to cover for the Head Coach in case of scheduling conflicts