Florida Celtic SC is proud and excited to announce Matthew Risley as our next Director of Coaching. Matt is well known for his outstanding contribution to soccer in Pinellas County with 25 years of involvement in teaching the required skills needed for success both on and off the field. Matt’s knowledge, experience and personality have been ideal for his role of overseeing the Competitive Developmental Program (CDP). Matt is now prepared to step up to the challenge of leading all of Florida Celtic SC.
Matt is the holder of National, State and Regional coaching licenses with both NSCAA and U.S. Soccer. Additionally, Matt has made productive annual visits to the top Academy programs in the UK to learn new methods of teaching and exchange ideas of early youth development. As a facet of his overall coaching strategy, Matt plans to continue this process.
“Growing up in the Largo/Seminole area and playing at our club lead to lifelong friendships and fond memories of our community. It’s an honor and privilege to be Director of Coaching at the club in which I played as a youth. I look forward to the opportunity to pass along a similar experience to players all while teaching them the game, The Celtic Way.” – Matt Risley
Willie McNab, Celtic FC (Glasgow, Scotland) Soccer Academy Manager added, “Matt is a fantastic appointment as DOC for Florida Celtic SC. His passion and enthusiasm to help the players develop not only as a player but as a person is incredibly evident. I am very much looking forward to working with Matt in developing the partnership between the clubs and build upon the good work that has already been done. We would all like to extend our congratulations to Matt and wish him all the very best in his exciting new role.”
“Congratulations to Florida Celtic SC and Matt Risley on his being named the Director of Coaching. I have known Matt since he was a youth playing for the Seminole Strikers. I have watched him grow as a player and a coach. It is great to see a home grown boy rise through the ranks to this position. Matt’s zeal and passion to develop players will be a big plus for the club.” – Rick Masi, Head Coach, Seminole High School Soccer
Florida Celtic SC is one of Florida’s premier youth soccer clubs. Located in Largo, Florida Celtic SC is a non-profit organization that has been providing competitive and recreational soccer programs to the youth in our community since 1978 when formed as the Seminole Strikers. Florida Celtic SC, also formerly known as Gulf Coast United, recently partnered with European soccer powerhouse, Celtic Football Club of Scotland and became officially recognized as an International Youth Academy affiliate of the Celtic FC. Because of this partnership, Florida Celtic SC is able to provide our players with the comprehensive training methods of the Celtic Youth Academy, or what we like to call learning to play soccer, “The Celtic Way”. This new alliance allows our club to provide our families with exceptional player development and to compete at the highest levels in the country and abroad. Florida Celtic SC is committed to providing a challenging and exciting soccer experience to all players within the Celtic Family as we strive to develop the next generation of soccer players.
