coaching
philosophy
At FC National, we believe that players perform better if they are given better.
We believe that developing the career of a youth soccer player is a marathon not a sprint. By focusing on the physical and mental development of each player individually, FC National coaches give our players the confidence to make successful choices on the field. Understanding soccer on a physical and mental level will help develop a well-rounded smarter player. We do not compromise our coaching philosophy to achieve short term gains in an effort to develop the positive qualities of the person as well as the player.
Our professional coaches believe in giving our players a complete, well rounded soccer education and personal understanding of the game. They will use their talent to educate using a club wide philosophy, which players will carry with them through the various stages of player development. Whether our players want to become good club players, college players or professional players, we strive to give them every opportunity to achieve their ambitions.
Ihor Luchkevych
FC National
Technical Director
Ihor’s experience at the very top level of soccer is extensive. He is a former Ukrainian Premier League midfield player who made over 3oo first team appearances at a number of clubs including Metalurh Zaporizhzhia and Karpaty Lviv. In 1996, he was proudly selected to play international soccer for his country, Ukraine. Ihor has been managing in the Ukrainian Premier League since 2005, and in 2022, he became the Assistant Manager of Ukrainian Premier League's, FC Mynai.
Qualifications:
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Former Manager Ukrainian Premier League
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Former Ukrainian Premier League Player
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Former Ukraine International Player
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UEFA A License
Lawrie Dudfield
FC National Co-founder & Director of Coaching
Lawrie Dudfield, former professional EPL/EFL soccer player with Leicester City and Hull City. He made his English Premier League debut vs. Everton in April 2000 and in 2001 became Hull City’s record signing. Throughout his professional career he amassed over 350 appearances scoring more than 70 goals. After he finished playing, Lawrie started his coaching career managing the community youth academy at English Football League soccer club, Nottingham Forest FC.
Lawrie then became an international agent and coach for the prestigious Brooke House College Soccer Academy, located in Market Harborough, England, He currently oversees international soccer operations helping players to secure professional club playing contracts, as well as, soccer scholarships to American colleges.
With his continuing passion for coaching children at the youth level, he founded Iconz Experience. Iconz Experience offers youth players all over the world the opportunity to experience training with former and current EPL and EFl players and coaches as well as England's unique culture.
Qualifications:
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Former EPL Professional Player
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UEFA B License
Chris Carroll
FC National Co-founder & President
Chris's passion for soccer started many years ago as he played soccer for Madeley College in Staffordshire, England. It was here that he gained his first coaching qualification with the English Football Association. After graduating from Madeley Chris went on to begin his life long career focusing within the youth soccer sector. He has since introduced soccer programs to hundreds of schools in the United Kingdom and the United States. His curriculum has always focused on getting it right early to instill good habits and of course to always make it fun.
Career moves between the UK and USA has seen Chris take up many roles in youth soccer including director of operations, competitive club coach, and club academy director, For the last seventeen years Chris has been co owner of Carroll Sports Academies. CSA has introduced soccer to thousands of youth players in schools and communities in England and the United States. Eight of those years being locally here in Knoxville, Chris has had great influence in local schools bringing his soccer programs to youth students and players.
Qualifications:
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BA (Hons) Sports Studies - Madeley College, Staffordshire, England
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United Soccer Coaches - Advanced National Diploma
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United States Soccer Federation – National D License
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Football Association Level 2 (England)