ATLANTA (Oct. 6, 2016) - Lauren Desmond, an experienced soccer coach and player, has been tapped to take over as Director of Coaching and Education for Soccer in the Streets. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Lauren majored in Health and Physical Education and went on to pursue a Masters in Sport Pedagogy. She first joined the Soccer in the Streets team as the school-based Program Manager, impressing the entire organization with her performance. As Director of Coaching and Education, Lauren will shape coaches into leaders and mentors, providing the support and resources necessary for their development and will set the bar high in order to encourage excellence.
“Lauren has shone in her role of developing school-based programs and already has a great rapport with our coaching corps. She has a strong background in coaching, managing and education that make her a perfect fit for the direction we see our coaching and program philosophy heading,” said Jill Robbins, Chief Program Officer at SitS.
Within the parameters of SitS' programs, coaches are responsible for more than soccer skills. They play an important role as one of the most influential individuals in a young player’s life. Thus, coaches involved with SitS need to have the necessary tools and strategies for shaping young lives in a positive way. Lauren will impact not only our core coaching system, but will also implement changes enabling the organization to embrace a coherent expansion of education-based programs through soccer.
Before joining SitS, Lauren taught high school health and physical education at St. Francis High School, coaching soccer for 2 years before accepting the Athletic Director position at Atlanta Classical Academy. Lauren additionally coached for 5 years at local clubs, including Athens United and Ambush, as well as high school soccer at Clarke Central High School and St. Pius.When asked about her new role with SitS, Lauren expressed her core motivations: "I love that my workday revolves around two of my favorite things in the world: soccer and working with youth. I also love that I have the opportunity to work with such passionate people" Lauren is looking forward to taking on her new role as Director of Coaching and Education, "to help develop and grow our organization's coaching approach and philosophy, especially in regards to the social and emotional domains of learning."