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.

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.

Robert has over 10 years of professional coaching experience in the U.S.   Robert led Eclipse Select U16 teams to the USYSA National Championship in 2001 and 2003. In the past year he led FC United U18 boys to a USYSA Illinois State Championship and Ela Elite U23 men to a USASA National Championship. Robert also led the Saint Viator Girls Varsity high-school team to back-to-back ISHA State Championships in 2002 and 2003. Robert has played professionally in Austria, Germany and in the US.

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

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