Coach Announcements for the 2008-2009 Year
George Moni to Coach Several GRCJ Teams Next Year
GR Crew Juniors announces another exciting opportunity for youth soccer players in West Michigan. George Moni, our new Technical Director for boys, will be coaching several teams this fall.
George hails from Albania where he graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in Physical Education/Health. He played pro soccer for three different clubs, serving as captain for two of them. He also played on the Albanian National team as a U17, U19 and U21 player.
George has been in Michigan since 1996 and has coached premier youth soccer clubs like WAZA FC in Livonia, United FC in Birmingham, and finally, the Stingers here in West Michigan, where George has also been the president and DOC. On the college level, George has been the assistant coach for the Men's and Women's teams at Davenport. As his impressive resume indicates, George has the ability to teach the game at the highest of levels, and we are extremely fortunate to have him as part of our club.
This fall, George will be coaching our U11 and U12 pre-premier boys' teams. His current Stingers U11 Boys team has an outstanding record with some of the best players in Michigan on it. That team has won the GVSA and MCL leagues for 2006 and 2007, scoring an average of seven goals per game. They are ranked among the top three teams in Michigan. As a club, we look forward to the current Stingers players mixing with our Crew Junior players as we increase the strength and caliber of this team and others.
George will also be coaching the U13 Girls premier team this fall, which is also a very strong team with talented players. We expect great things from this team as they make their premier debut this fall!
The older Crew premier girls (U17 and U18) will also benefit from George's expertise, as he will have involvement with those teams, as well.
As you can see, we will be keeping George very busy as he becomes an integral part of our club! For girls and boys who want this high caliber of coaching and who want to take their games to the next level, we welcome them to our tryouts this June and to our club as a whole.
Jeff Brown to Coach U14 and U15 Girls Teams in 2008-2009
GR Crew Juniors is proud to announce that our Technical Director, Jeff Brown, will be coaching two premier girls teams next year - U14 and U15.
Jeff's vast coaching experience and leadership have made him one of the top coaches in Western Michigan. His initial soccer education took place in his native England where he played pro soccer, served for ten years in the Royal Artillery and Airbourne forces, and earned his degree in Sports Therapy and Fitness Instruction. Any team that is lucky enough to be under his leadership is destined for great things.
This past fall Jeff coached a brand new U13 girls team, starting out in the brackets of the Michigan State Premier Soccer League. Under Jeff's leadership, that team is now playing in the Premier 1 division. They currently have five ODP players and together they are a group of hard-working, talented players. They have been busy playing in tournaments - outdoor, as well as indoor- and recently beat an Ohio premier team to become the champions of the Kick in the Bluegrass Tournament in Kentucky. If this team keeps this up, they could soon be playing in the national league (MRL) next year!
Jeff's current U14 girls team has had similar success. With seven ODP and other highly skilled players, this team was semi-finalist in the State Cup and won their division, Premier 2, in the fall. They are now in Premier 1, with the opportunity to play in the national league next year. This team just beat a Canadian team to win an 11 v. 11 indoor tournament in Wixom - a nice way to start off their spring season.
Being on one of Jeff's teams is an opportunity for girls interested in a more challenging soccer experience. Jeff has a proven track record of coaching players who go on to play at the college level. Three of his former players have won national championships at their respective programs.
Jeff has the knowledge, the leadership and the experience to maximize each player's ability and create a winning atmosphere within his teams. We wish Jeff and his teams the best of luck in the future as they continue to make our club proud of their many accomplishments.
Josh Sheldon to Coach GRCJ Premier U16 Girls Team Next Fall
GR Crew Juniors is thrilled to announce that our own General Manager and Director of Coaching, Josh Sheldon, will be coaching our U16 Girls team on the premier side next fall.
Josh has become a major presence in Western Michigan through his coaching, his GRCJ general manager and DOC responsibilities, and his work at MVP’s Sports Spot, which he has been managing for 7 years. In addition to all of that, Josh was part of the coaching staff at Cornerstone University for the past five years.
As a player, Josh received All State honors while playing at Portage Central High School and All Conference/All Regional honors while playing for Hope College. He has carried that knowledge of the game over to his coaching, where he has successfully coached many excellent teams, including his 2007 State Championship Forest Hills Central Girls Soccer team.
The GRCJ Premier U16 Girls team will be very fortunate to have Josh as their head coach next fall. This team is one of three MRL (national league) teams currently in our club. They are jam-packed with talent, including five ODP State team players and one ODP Regional player.
Last fall this team won the U15 Michigan Challenge Cup and competed well at a very high level of competition throughout the season. The majority of these freshman girls are now playing Varsity soccer for their respective high schools.
For those U16 girls who are looking to take their game to an even higher level, to gain college exposure (should they so desire), and to have lots of fun along the way, this will be the team for them. How lucky to have this opportunity to play for a coach of Josh’s caliber!
Remco Bergsma to Coach GRCJ U15 Boys Team Again Next Year
Fortunately for the current premier U14 boys, and the club as a whole, Remco Bergsma will be back coaching this same team next year.
Remco, a native of the Netherlands, has a rich history both as a player and as a coach. He played on the highest junior teams from ages 10 to 18 for AGOVV in the Netherlands. At age 18 he signed with AGOVV and played semi-professional for 7 years while studying International Management at college.
He coached the U10 to U12 Boys team in 1998 and the U14 to U16 Boys team in 1999 for AGOVV. Remco was the assistant coach for the PDL West Michigan Edge team in 2005 and 2006, and he has been the assistant coach for both the varsity boys and girls soccer teams at Forest Hills Central High School from 2004 to 2007. He helped win 2 state championships for the FHC girls and 1 state championship for the FHC boys. Remco was also the assistant coach for the GRASA U18 team last year winning a State Championship.
Remco's current U14 Boys team is one of three teams in the club competing in the national league (MRL). Their record is outstanding, as they are one of the strongest U14 teams in the country (currently ranked # 1 in the state of Michigan, ranked # 2 in Region II and # 8 in the nation).
They finished the fall season with a record of 23-1-1, with 84 goals for and only 12 goals against. They were champions of the Germantown Invitational in Memphis, TN this past November, competing in the U14 Platinum Division, beating state championship teams from Missouri, Oklahoma and Mississippi. They were also the Mead Cup U14 Five Star Champions in September, and they won the NSR Cup in Saginaw in August. As the only undefeated team in their 43 team division of the national league (MRL), they went 6-0-0 this past fall in league play.
It's rare to find a team of this caliber and strength, and they just continue to get better. They are a fine representative of our club, as is their coach, Remco Bergsma, and their assistant coach, Todd Stacy. What a rare opportunity for U15 boys next year who are achieving at a very high level and want to continue to improve. We wish these boys and their coaches the very best of luck in the year to come.
Dave DiIanni to Coach U17 Boys Next Year
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors is thrilled and honored to have Dave DiIanni coach our U17 Premier Boys team next year. Dave is one of our club’s many outstanding coaches with a very impressive playing history of his own and a rich and successful coaching resume.
In addition to coaching his Crew team, Dave coaches the Grand Valley State University Women’s Soccer team. He has been their head coach for five very successful years. Under Dave’s leadership, the girls have made five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (the only five in the school’s history), with two consecutive trips to the Final Four. In 2006, the Lakers were the National Championship Runners-up. Dave’s overall record is a very impressive 91-13-4.
Dave was also named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coach of the Year and the Adidas Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year.
Somehow, Dave has found the time to spend the past six years working with the Olympic Development Program in Michigan, training and developing the highest level of soccer in the state. He is presently the Head Coach of the ‘93 ODP age group.
While Dave’s current U16 Premier Boys team is just starting their season, they are sure to find much success throughout the spring season. They won their first league game to date by a score of 3 to 1. In addition to many league games, they will be busy with State Cup matches and tournaments. We wish them continued success and feel confident that under Dave’s extraordinary leadership, they have a very bright future.
Genevieve Sandner Will Return Next Year to Coach Two Girls Teams
The GRCJ Premier U15 and U17 Girls Gold teams will be lucky to have Genevieve Sandner as their head coach next year.
Genevieve was a Division 1 college player at the University of Detroit Mercy and was an ODP regional pool player. She came to our club with ten years of coaching experience at all premier levels, including time as a graduate assistant at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Genevieve was Grand Valley State University’s club soccer coach in 2003, and she currently coaches Catholic Central High School girls’ varsity soccer team. She was also an ODP evaluator for the 2007/2008 season.
Genevieve’s premier U14 Girls Gold team is in their first year, and they have been training hard since their inception last summer. They finished fourth in their division last fall, and they have worked hard all winter long in preparation for their current spring season. They are sure to reap the rewards of their hard work and go on to have a successful spring season and tournament run.
Genevieve will coach this same team next year (will be the U15 Girls Gold team), and she will also be the head coach of our new team – the U17 Girls Gold team.
One player’s parent sums Genevieve and her coaching style up this way: “Genevieve is highly motivated and skilled. The players are encouraged and motivated by her enthusiasm. She has each player set individual goals to develop their skills and improve performance. Gen enforces team camaraderie, while at the same time providing individual player support.”
Genevieve is a perfect representation of what GR Crew Juniors looks for in a coach, and her two girls’ teams next year will be lucky to have her.
Justin Harnden to Coach U17 Premier Girls Team
Justin Harnden, who coached GRCJ’s U16 and U18 Premier Girls teams this past fall, will be returning next fall to coach the U17 Premier Girls team.
Justin played on the Bay City Western High School Varsity team and then for Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, England. He then went on to play for the Midland Amateur Soccer League.
Justin had the distinct honor of coaching the first ever travel soccer team in Bay City, the Bay Area Soccer Association U17 team. He then returned to his high school first as an assistant coach for the boys and girls teams from 1999 to 2002. From 2002 to 2003, Justin was the Head Coach for Bay City Western High School Varsity Girls team.
Justin then came to Western Michigan to coach the Cedar Springs High School JV boys from 2003 to 2004, and then the Cedar Springs JV girls from 2004 until 2007. In 2007 Justin took over as the Head Coach of the Cedar Springs High School Varsity Girls Soccer team.
Since 2005, Justin has coached many premier girls teams for our club, and he has done an excellent job. His U16 team from this fall had a very successful season. They won their division (Premier 2) with an undefeated record of 6-0-3 with only one goal scored against them. Very impressive! They showed well in the three tournaments they attended – Vardar Cup, NSR Cup and State Cup, finishing second in their State Cup pool.
This coming year, Justin plans to take his U17 Girls team to some college showcases such as KISS and NSR. He certainly has a good track record with his players going on to play college soccer. Seven of his ten seniors from his U18 team will be playing college soccer this fall, with one going to Division 1 Central Michigan University.
Any girls who are interested in playing for a quality coach like Justin should plan to be at GR Crew Juniors tryouts on June 15th! They won’t want to miss this great opportunity.
Jeff Crooks to Coach GRCJ Older Boys Next Year
The older boys who join GR Crew Juniors are in for a treat! Jeff Crooks will be the coach of the premier U16 Boys Black team, U17 Boys Gold team and the U18 Boys Black team.
Jeff Crooks has a rich coaching history, starting out as the Jackson Lumen Christi High School Varsity Girls coach from 1993 to 1996. He has been an ODP staff coach and a club director over the years. Jeff was the Head Coach of Wichita State University Men’s and Women’s Soccer Club from 1996 until 1998. He then became Michigan State University Men’s Assistant Coach from 1998 until 2003 before taking on the role of Assistant Coach for the Grand Valley State University Women’s team from 2003 until 2005. Jeff is currently Grand Valley’s Men’s Soccer Head Coach.
Since 2003, Jeff has been with GRCJ as a staff coach. This season, he is the Head Coach of the U16 Boys Gold team and the U17 Boys Black team.
While the season is just beginning for Jeff’s teams, they are off to a great start. His U17 Boys, who are playing in the national league (MRL), did well (2-1-0) in the Fort Wayne Friendly in March. They also participated in the Metro United College Showcase in March and the Carmel Crossroads of America Showcase last weekend. They are busy!
We wish them the best of luck as they continue with their MRL season (they are currently in third place) and with the State Cup tournament, where they won their first preliminary game, beating the Metrostars 3 to 0.
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors offers older boys a great opportunity for taking their games to the next level and gaining that desired college exposure. It’s coaches like Jeff Crooks who will make it all happen.
Romer Carrasco to Coach GRCJ U16 Girls Gold Team
The U15 Premier Girls Gold team had a great inaugural season this past fall, and with Romer’s continued leadership, they are sure to have an even more successful season next year.
Romer grew up playing soccer in his native Bolivia. As a high school player, he was chosen to represent his state of Santa Cruz in the national tournament for three consecutive years, winning the national championship twice. Romer was then recruited to play with the Blooming Soccer Club, a professional soccer team in Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, he sustained a serious knee injury while training with the club and was no longer able to play at the professional level. After rehabilitation from his injury, Romer played for six years with the Escuela de Futbol, a Santa Cruz semi-professional team.
Romer has coached many GR Crew Juniors select and premier teams since 1999. He coached the Wyoming Park High School Boys’ Varsity team from 2004 to 2005, and he is presently the Head Coach for the Wyoming Park Girls’ Varsity team.
This was Romer’s first year coaching the U15 Premier Girls team, and they had a very successful season. They placed second in the KISS Futbol Frenzy tournament in August, and they made it all the way to the State Cup quarterfinals, losing to the eventual State Cup winner.
Romer was able to improve the girls’ skills and knowledge of the game, and they learned firsthand what hard work and dedication can accomplish. He is ready to take the team to the next level next year, and GRCJ welcomes any interested girls to come to tryouts on June 15th.
Joey Barone To Coach GRCJ U14 Boys Black Premier Team
The GR Crew Juniors is proud to announce that Joey Barone will coach the newly established U14 Boys Premier Black team for the 08/09 season. Joey has primarily coached the clubs very successful older boys teams in the spring seasons the last couple of years, winning the state cup with last years U18 team but has also had great results with younger Stingers FC teams for some time.
Joey is well known in the West Michigan soccer scene not only as a record holder for scoring at Calvin College but also as a professional player and one of the best youth soccer trainers. He has helped develop a lot of local talent into great high school and college players. Two of his proudest accomplishments, his twin boys Mark and Dominic, are going on to Michigan State University next year to play soccer.
As a teacher in “real life” at Jenison High School, Joey holds a BA and Masters in physical education and Spanish so there is no doubt that he understands the fundamentals of teaching. His ability to analyze the game and direct the young men on the pitch is second to none.
In the age group he will be coaching next year Joey has worked as a team trainer with a solid GV PASS/Kentwood team that is coached by Oku Okeke and Matt Moorman. Both these coaches will be joining Joey as his assistant coaches for the GRCJ team. Their experience in guiding a talented team, expected to be made up primarily of Kentwood Falcons and former GRASA (GR Crew Juniors) players, to the top half of Premier 1 will be invaluable for Joey going forward.
We encourage all U14 boys to come out for try-outs on June 15 to experience a coaching staff that has great experience at this age group.
Chuck Ritchard To Coach GRCJ U14 Boys Gold Lakeshore Premier Team
The GR Crew Juniors is exited to announce a Lakeshore addition to our new U14 Boys coaching line up. Chuck Ritchard will be coaching a Premier team based in Muskegon where his coaching experience and general involvement with soccer is quite extensive.
Chuck has coached soccer for more than 25 years at all levels including high school, recreational, select and premier. His club experience includes AC Storm, GVP and Muskegon Lakers. His long history with soccer in the community and the Muskegon Lakers Soccer Club is well known to many as he, besides being a coach, has been president, registrar and referee assignor for the club. There is no doubt that he will have continued involvement with soccer in the Greater Muskegon area while he also coaches for GRCJ.
Currently Chuck is coaching a talented U13 Boys Muskegon Lakers team that is sitting on top of the table in GVSA’s Elite division with a 3-0 record. Their climb and continued success has been building with some great results at tournaments against very good Premier division 1 and 2 teams.
His ability to communicate with the kids and educational background gives him a great advantage in relating to players of all age groups. Chuck’s “day job” as an engineer also provides for a good analytical mind that is very beneficial during game time.
Chucks Masters Degree in Organizational Development and current pursuant of a Doctorate not only benefited the MSYSA as he sat on the state board for 3 years but also stresses the importance of education to the kids on a daily basis. There is no doubt that any young man who joins Chuck’s team will benefit for years to come.
Try-outs for Chuck’s U14 Premier Team will take place on Sunday June 15 at MVP Fieldhouse in Cascade from 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM and at Mona Shores Soccer Complex on Wellesley, near Ross Park, on the same day from 3 PM until 5 PM. For further try-out possibilities in the Lakeshore area contact Chuck directly at critchard@msn.com or critchard@comcast.net.
Matt Roberts To Coach Two GRCJ
Premier Girls' Teams Next Year
The GR Crew Juniors is excited to anounce that another popular and experienced soccer coach, Matt Roberts, will be returning to our club to coach TWO premier girls teams starting in the fall!
Matt will be taking charge of the U13 and U14 Girls Gold teams, and he is sure to provide a year of growth, challenge and excitement for those girls fortunate enough to play for him. Our club encourages all interested girls to attend tryouts in hopes of being a part of this exciting opportunity.
Matt is a product of a successful youth soccer career himself. He was a varsity player for Noblesville, IN, High School for four years, and he played club soccer for Indianapolis United, helping his team win two state championships (U17 and U18). He then went on to play college ball for Aquinas College’s Men’s team for four years, making Captain in 2001.
You may have read about Matt’s two years as Forest Hills Eastern Boys’ Varsity Team from 2004 to 2005, leading them to the State title game in 2005 and being voted by his peers as the 2005 MHSSCA Coach of the Year (what an honor!). Matt then returned to his alma mater in 2006 to be the Assistant Men’s coach at Aquinas College.
Matt has been a club coach for GRASA and GR Crew Juniors since 1999, so he certainly understands our club’s philosophy and our desire to be the best club in Western Michigan. We look forward to another outstanding year as Matt coaches these two girls’ teams.
Former Columbus Crew Player Steve Herdsman, To Coach GRCJ's Premier U13 Boys Team
GR Crew Juniors is thrilled and proud to announce that Steve Herdsman, former player in the MLS, will be joining our premier coaching staff. Steve will be the head coach of our U13 Boys team.
Steve brings a wealth of experience both as a player and as a coach. Steve was an All-American HM sweeper at Cornerstone University for the 2000 season. He was the seventeenth overall Major League Soccer draft pick in 2001, chosen by the Colorado Rapids. Steve played for them until 2004, and then he signed to play for the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio. Steve played with the Crew until he retired in 2006.
Luckily for the GR Crew Juniors, Steve came back to Western Michigan to coach. He has been coaching at Cornerstone University since 2007, where he played in 2000 and then coached during the 2003 season, when he helped to lead them to their first tournament championship.
Not many clubs can boast of having a past professional soccer player on their coaching staff, but GR Crew can! We are committed to the highest level of instruction and player development, and Steve epitomizes that. How fortunate for the U13 Boys who will have the chance to play for Steve. What an incredible opportunity for them and for our club.
See you at our premier tryouts on Sunday, June 15th !