Coach Craig Hollis
Director of Coaching
Directory of Academy
Home Town:
Kingston Upon Thames, London, England
Supported Team: Chelsea Football Club
About Me: I was born and raised in a busy town about 20 minutes outside central London in England. Naturally I grew up living and breathing the beautiful game of football. Stayed local through my years of school at Corpus Christi primary School and Richard Challoner secondary school where I stayed on with a 6th form college program. I played football for both my school's and college, with a short spell at a semi pro club. Right out of secondary school I knew I wanted to focus on coaching where I started my career at my unconditionally loved football club Chelsea FC.
Coaching Experience:
Craig started his professional coaching career at Chelsea Football Club in London, England. He spent 4 years at the club developing his coaching abilities working with players of all ages and levels. From starting with grassroots level players working up to coaching the elite levels. During his time at Chelsea FC, Craig spent some time branching out and specializing in goalkeeping working with Chelsea’s Elite Training Center. In 2012 Craig brought his experience over to America where he spent 3 years coaching with UK International Soccer Company. During these 3 years, Craig coached and trained local club teams, developing their club programs and players. Craig was named UKI Regional Director of Goalkeeping for UK International. His job was to produce Goalkeeping Academy’s and write program curriculums for local clubs to develop young goalkeepers, and perform goalkeeping training to not only players but to his peers and local coaches. In furthering his career Coach Hollis took up a role as Director of Soccer in Upstate NY newest 48,000 square foot multiple story indoor sports facility Accelerate Sports. During his short 2 year spell with the facility before taking up the role at Impact FC, Hollis was able to produce Accelerate with a youth soccer development program complete with Goalkeeping Academy and winter leagues and some tournaments. One of his greatest achievement whilst at the facility, is the Accelerate High School Preseason Summer soccer league. Starting with just 10 teams participating now unites over 40 local boys and girls high schools from across the north section of the state. Coach Hollis also spent some time whilst in the Upstate NY area building and coaching within the Adirondack High School men's soccer program, coaching at both modified and varsity levels.
Qualification:
BTEC Diploma in Sport level 2, BTEC National Level 3 in Sports Development & Coaching, English FA coaching Licence level 1 and 2, CJSA coaching Licence E, NY State High School Coaching License, U.S. Soccer National C Coaching LicenseNY State Education First Aid qualified, American Heart Association First Aid, CPR & AED, CDC Concussion certificate, & US Youth Soccer Risk Management and Background checked.
Fun Fact:
Not only do I love to cook up a storm in the kitchen, I'm a certified gymnastics instructor.