Written By:  Charlie Corr
             East Region Contributor

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Gaining experience and learning new methods toward someone’s craft extends far beyond the players on the pitch. STA head coach Kelly Sims and her role with the U.S. U-15 Girls’ National Team is a perfect example.
 

During a portion of June, Sims broke away from her WPSL and STA club duties to serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-15s during their trip to Holland and Germany.

 

Under the guidance of U-15 head coach Katie Schoepfer, Sims had the opportunity to soak in some invaluable international exposure that she can subsequently apply to STA.

 

“I am fortunate enough to work with some really good coaches and people at STA, and they have been my biggest supporters throughout this process,” Sims said. “When I learn something new, I always try to think of how I can apply it to STA. Right after the Europe trip, with my U-14 girls academy team preparing for national playoffs, I tried to support them more with their preparation and recovery, and incorporated more strategies to help them be at their best come game day.”

 

Sims says she has particularly honed in on Schoepfer’s interaction with players, and the ability to create a positive and inclusive culture while working alongside her coaching staff.

 

“I love the support staff, and how I can interact with so many experts in different fields of the game,” Sims said. “I enjoy learning new things, so I’m always excited to watch others and see what I can take away to better myself as a coach, as well as my home environment.”

 

Sims has attained her A and B Youth Licenses under coaching educator Steffen Siebert, and she also has a U.S. Soccer Talent Scout License.

 

“I would be interested in the pro license at some point,” Sims said. “I am currently taking an online part-time bachelors degree program from a university in England, in performance coaching in football, so I am a little busy.”

 

Sims has notable footballing experience that goes back to English clubs Arsenal and Reading. She moved to the U.S. in 2009 and played for Sonesoccer’s WPSL team. For those who aren’t aware, the “STA” moniker has stood for Sonesoccer Training Academy, so now Sims is managing the club she once played for.
 

 

The landscape of former STA coaches currently working at high-level colleges or professional teams continues to grow every year: Becki Tweed, an assistant coach at the NWSL’s N.J/N.Y. Gotham FC; Erwin van Bennekom and Tim Verschuren, the head and assistant coaches, respectively, for Indiana University’s women’s team; Kelly Lawrence, who will be assisting Penn State’s women’s team heading into the 2022 season; and Rob Alman, who is the co-head coach for Butler’s women’s program alongside his wife Tari St. John.
 

Sims says STA has built an environment that has always carried ambitious and talented coaches who have a passion for their craft and teaching their athletes on the pitch.

 

“Tom Shields, our technical director, has played a huge part in the development of the club these past few years,” Sims said. “He has a desire to learn and strives to be the best. He puts a ton of hours in to help improve the club on and off the field, and get us closer to what a professional club looks like.”

 

A noteworthy step toward STA’s growth is a recently announced partnership with Gotham FC, which Sims said will provide additional training exposure for STA’s pool within the girls academy and WPSL team.

 

“The partnership with Gotham gives us another opportunity to inspire STA players and to work together to learn from each other and share best practices,” Sims said.

 

The club and international football cycles are continuously evolving, and ultimately Sims says the key is to take her additional knowledge and incorporate everything within the framework of the team’s identity and vision.

 

“Both the U.S. national teams and STA train and play true to their style of play and principles, and it’s important to be proud of who you are,” Sims said. “Understand the ‘why’ behind what you do, and that will help with any on-field coaching, whether it’s in training or the game.”