North Carolina Courage To Field Girls Development Academy
The North Carolina Courage will be launching its Girls U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) for the inaugural 2017 season that is set to kick off this fall. The program is led by Director Sean Nahas who currently serves as an assistant coach with the U20 U.S. Women’s National Team.
Youth Soccer News: The North Carolina Football Club has officially announced the launch of its NC Courage Girls U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA).
The program will create a clear path for the identification and development of young girls, including homegrown players for the North Carolina Courage professional team. Beginning July 1, veteran youth coach Sean Nahas will direct the Girls’ DA teams as they prepare to take the field this fall.
The Girls’ DA will maximize player development with a 10-month training program, professionalized coaching, as well as the opportunity for youth players to train with the first team. NC Courage Academy is one of 69 clubs that will participate in the inaugural Girls’ DA season this fall. Player trials are currently underway to field U14, U15, U16/17, and U18/19 teams, which will compete in the southeast division.
Nahas currently serves as an assistant coach with the U20 U.S. Women’s National Team – a team that that won the U20 Women’s CONCACAF Championship (2015) and was a semi-finalist at the 2016 U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea. He was also a staff coach for the U14 U.S. Youth National Team (2011-2013) and served as a youth scout during that time. 
“Sean is a very successful coach and has proven himself in every position he has held,” said North Carolina Football Club President and GM Curt Johnson. “His experience with the U.S. National Teams, paired with his knowledge of the Triangle area and North Carolina youth soccer, is an added benefit to our goal of developing young female players in our community. The NC Courage DA teams will be able to identify and develop top local talent for years to come. In addition, we look forward to collaborating with NWSL to develop the league’s first homegrown player rules.”
In addition to his U.S. Soccer coaching responsibilities, he has dedicated the past 13 years to developing players at the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL). He helped more than 20 CASL female players make their way to U.S. youth and full national teams and more than 100 players move onto the college ranks. In addition, he developed a club wide curriculum and player development pathway for players ages 8-19.
“I am very excited about this new opportunity for the growth of the female game in our area and across the country,” said Nahas. “I am honored to have been asked to oversee the Girls’ Development Academy and continue the development pathway for female players in our area.”
Photo Credit: North Carolina Football Club
