Only a ball is needed. Playing with friends and family in the yard, a pick up game at the park, or even at the beach – we can all enjoy this beautiful game throughout life.
Professional training all year, rain or shine, in an air-conditioned, quality-turfed space with a place for parents to relax.
Why First Touch?
We like to say that the first touch is the most important touch, but there is so much more to the game. We teach playing skills from the basic to the highest level and, along the way, they gain life skills in many ways. Come join our family.
Our Goals
Soccer For Life
Better skills
Soccer is simply more fun when it is done skillfully. Our top notch coaches will help players develop not only soccer skills, but also social skills like listening, sharing, and team play.
Continual improvement
We believe in helping players improve their technical ability, no matter what age, skill level, or position they play – every player needs to be comfortable and confident with a ball at their feet. We teach our students how to manage the ball effectively with all parts of both feet, giving them the tools they need to succeed on whatever team or league they are in!
Meet Our Staff
Our staff is passionate about the game of soccer and we look forward to helping your child reach their full potential!
Playing Experience:
- Club Soccer (1988-1998): 4 state titles
- High School (1992-1998): 3 state titles
- Set state record in 1998 for career goals: 185
- Liberty University Division 1 NCAA (1998-2002):
- 1999: Set university single-season record with 14 goals
- 1999: 1st team All-Conference for Big South Conference
Coaching Experience:
NCSAA National Diploma
College (5 years):
- Liberty University Men’s Assistant (2003)
- Florida Southern College Women’s Soccer (2007-2010)
Club (15 years):
- Lakeland Futbol Club (2003-2004)
- HC United Soccer Club (2004-2005)
- RSL Tampa (2005-2009): Winning 2 state titles
- West Florida Flames (2010-2013)
- Swan City/Tropics (2016-present)
High School (20 years):
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- Lakeland Christian School (2003-Present)
- 4 State titles: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- 13 Regional championships and final four appearances
- Florida Dairy Farmers state 3A coach of the year: 2021, 2022
- Florida Dairy Farmers state 2A coach of the year: 2023, 2024
- Lakeland Christian School (2003-Present)
- 38 years soccer coaching experience in Lakeland.
- Recreational and Competitive.
- Still coaching today, including children of boys that I coached when they were young
Playing Experience:
Club Soccer – 1994-2001
High School (1996-2001) Two State Titles
*2001 FYSAA Co-Player of the year
*LCS second all time career assist leader
*LCS third all time career goals leader
Collegiate –
Div. 1 Liberty University 2001
Div. 2 Florida Southern College 2003-2005
Coaching Experience
*Club Soccer Coach 3 years
*Lakeland Christian Girls Assistant Coach 1 year
*Florida Southern College Women’s Assistant Coach 3 Years
Playing Experience:
- Club Soccer:
- Winter Haven Kicks
- Winter Haven High School:
- 1st Team All County Player
- 4 Year Varsity Starter
- 3 Year Captain
- Young Harris College:
- 4 Year Starter
- 2 Year Captain
- Holds All-Time YHC Records: 2nd in game-winning goals, 3rd in all-time points, 4th in goals, and tied for 4th in assists
- WPSL
- Played 1 Season of WPSL for Orlando Kicks
- Played 1 Season of WPSL for Peachtree City MOBA
Coaching Experience:
- Graduate Assistant for 2 seasons at Division I University of Louisiana Monroe
- Assistant Coach and Student Development Coordinator at NJCAA Richard Bland College of William and Mary
- Assistant Coach for 2 years at Division II Young Harris College
- Assistant Coach for 2 years at Division III Oglethorpe University
- Head Club Team Coach for 2 years at TYSA in Atlanta, GA – U10-U12 girls
- Master Coach for 2 summers at Berkshire Soccer Academy
Playing Experience:
- High School (1992-1997): 3 State Titles
- LCS Varsity
- Liberty University Division 1 NCAA (1998-2001)
- Richmond Kickers (2002 – 2003)
Coaching Experience:
College (9 years):
- Head Women’s coach, Florida Southern College: 2005-2011
- Assistant Coach, Arkansas University, Division 1: 2012-2015
- USSF B license
Club:
- Coached numerous competitive and recreational teams
“Coaching gives me an opportunity to pass on parts of the game that I love to a community of people that I love. Some of my closest friends today were formed on the pitch in my youth.”
Playing Experience:
- Club Soccer:
- Netherlands Antilles (U-17 – U20): 2010-2012
- Southeastern University :
- 2013-2016
- Professional :
- Ocala Stampede (USL League 2): 2015
- Florida Tropics (MASL indoor soccer): 2016-2020
- Florida Tropics (UPSL): 2019-Present
Coaching Experience:
- LCS Varsity (Boys Assistant Coach): 2017-2019
- LCS Varsity (Girls Assistant Coach): 2019-Present
- LCS JV (Girls Head Coach): 2019-Present
- Private training: 2019-Present
- Lakeland Tropics FC (07 Girls): 2021-2022
Playing Experience:
- Club Soccer:
- Weston FC: Competitive for seven years through high school
- Florida International University, Division 1
Coaching Experience:
- Girls’ competitive teams at Swan City for four years
Playing Experience:
- Club Soccer (2007-2020): Reached the State Semi-finals
- High School (2016-2020):
- Second Team All-County
- Florida Southern College, Division 2 (2020-2024)
Coaching Experience:
Club (3 years):
- Volunteer coaching at Auburndale Soccer Club
“I want to share the game with kids and hope they will love it as much as I do.”
