With 15 Years of Coaching, Kim Calkins Joins Washington Youth Soccer
All across the country, talented former professional soccer players are giving back to the game of soccer and sharing their expertise with the youth soccer world. And, as the competition in youth soccer heats up, US Youth Soccer’s State Associations know they want to deliver the best resources to their players possible.
Soccer News: Washington Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization in the state, is proud to announce Kim Calkins as its new Technical Director. As Technical Director, Calkins will lead the daily technical operations and staff for all Washington Youth Soccer development programs, competitions and leagues. Calkins will manage existing educational programs to ensure the progress of player and coach development, and support the continuous improvement of best practices throughout a frequently evolving youth soccer landscape.
Calkins is a native of Spokane and grew up playing in Washington Youth Soccer programming before moving on to play for the prestigious University of Portland women’s program, where she earned First Team All-West Coast Conference honors and helped lead the Pilots to three NCAA College Cup final four appearances, including a 2nd place finish in 1995. Calkins was a member of the U.S. U-21 and Women’s National Team pools and was drafted in 2000 by the Boston Breakers of the WUSA, the first women’s professional soccer league.
Since retiring as a player in 2002, Calkins has accumulated 15 years of coaching experience at the youth, high school, collegiate and national levels. Calkins served as the Gonzaga University Assistant Coach from 1999-2000, and has spent time with Spokane SC Shadow, Eastside FC and Washington Premier FC. Calkins took over as the Program Director for the Washington Youth Soccer Elite Player Development Program (EPD) and Coaching Education administration in 2013, and during that time has also served as a coach and scout for the U.S. Soccer National Training Centers. Calkins previously led the Washington Youth Soccer recreational, select and TOPSoccer programs, and currently provides color commentary for Seattle Reign FC broadcasts.
Calkins received her U.S.S.F. National “B” Coaching License this past spring and is working toward the National “A” License, the highest level coaching license offered by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“Kim is the ideal candidate to take over Washington Youth Soccer’s technical leadership,” said CEO Terry Fisher. “Kim is a native of Washington and understands the dynamics of the sport in this state as a player and coach, and she has the experience, passion and motivation to continue to provide the best possible programming for the youth players in Washington.”
“I’m so excited with this appointment!” exclaimed Washington Youth Soccer President Daren Mancini. “With Kim’s local knowledge, playing and coaching experience and sheer passion for the development of the game at all levels, we are set for a great period of growth in the game!”
