NPSL side kicks off preseason training this Saturday at Lockhart Stadium
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers today announced the appointment of John Earle as assistant coach of Fort Lauderdale Strikers U-23, the player development side of the club that will play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Sunshine Conference this summer.
Strikers U-23 kick off preseason training this Saturday at Lockhart Stadium.
“We are excited to have John Earle join the coaching staff of Strikers U-23,” said U-23 head coach Olaf Henke. “John brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach at various levels to the club. Most importantly, he understands and has a proven record of developing young talent and taking them to the next level — one of the fundamental objectives our team.”
Earle started coaching soccer in 1994, while studying at the University of Vermont. He took the role of assistant coach at Champlain College before relocating to South Florida in 2004. Since joining Fort Lauderdale FC in 2008, Earle has scouted and developed youth talent in the local region for the past eight years.
“My priority as a coach is player development,” said Earle. “Myself and Olaf have spent countless hours looking into how we can develop youth players and grow soccer in general around this part of the country. The opportunity with the Strikers is good for me personally, but also a positive step for the future of young players in the Fort Lauderdale area.”
Earle has worked closely with coach Henke for nearly a decade and will bring his player development experience to Strikers U-23. In February, the Strikers announced a partnership with Fort Lauderdale FC, the official competitive youth soccer program for the City of Fort Lauderdale, establishing a direct route for developing the area’s youth players into professionals.
Strikers U-23 open the 2016 NPSL season on the road against Miami United SC on Sunday, May 22. The regular season consists of 10 matches in the Sunshine Conference. To see the full schedule and learn more about Strikers U-23 and the Strikers player development efforts, visit www.Strikers.com/u23.
