Albion South Bay Appoint Ziggy Korytoski as Director of Coaching
The focus on expanding player development remains a top priority of Albion Soccer Club as SDSU Men’s assistant coach and NPSL Albion Pros’ head coach Ziggy Korytoski is appointed Director of Coaching for the South Bay affiliate organization. South Bay is a soccer hub that consists of all the talent to thrive – the direction and guidance is just needed to continue a legacy of soccer excellence.
Related Article: Albion SC Successfully Develops Soccer Players
Youth Soccer News: Noah Gins, Executive Director of San Diego’s Albion Soccer Club, is focused on developing homegrown talent — youth soccer players who want to wear their nation’s logo on their jersey and play for their country, those individuals who dream of becoming professional players, and of course the talented players who want to play on college rosters.
Gins recognizes the tremendous talent in the Southern California area, and particularly in South Bay San Diego— an area often underserved by elite clubs who focus more on the business of soccer rather then the pursuit of player development.
Close to the USA/Mexico border, South Bay is a thriving community steeped in a rich soccer heritage. Chula Vista — South Bay’s largest city, and the surrounding area — is brimming with passion and pride for the beautiful game. Originally the area was under Mexican rule and the thriving soccer culture has lingered — still playing a vital role today. The area’s Hispanic youth grow up with a soccer ball at their feet and the television tuned to soccer — lifelong soccer fans in the making, many of these players have dreams of becoming professional soccer players.
Meeting the needs of the talented youth soccer players in this most southern part of the Western USA is important to Albion SC. Just over three years ago, Gins opened Albion South Bay — not a separate youth soccer club from Albion SC, just the same philosophy of player development practicing 15 miles further south.
Albion South Bay has been very successful and for the 2016/17 season has over 25 teams and a comprehensive Junior Program for 3 to 7-year-olds.
“The South Bay is a well known hotbed for talented players and our goal at Albion SC is to provide these players with the tools they need to develop and reach their potential,” says Gins. “This is why we are so excited that Ziggy Korytoski will become the Director of Coaching for Albion South Bay.”
Korytoski is also the San Diego State University Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach and Head Coach of the NPSL Albion Pros.
“Ziggy is one of the most knowledgable soccer coaches in the USA and he understands the needs in South Bay. Ziggy is joining our amazing staff in South Bay and will only make it stronger,” says Gins.
“This is a fantastic opportunity,” says Korytoski. “I have fallen in love with the club itself, and when Noah approached me to build out the South Bay, it was an easy decision. Albion South Bay has already experienced a great deal of success. Among the accomplishments so far are winning a Cal South State Cup and having several players identified for the regional pool and national pools within U.S. Soccer. I want to build upon this — My goal is to provide even more value to the community.”
The leadership at Albion South Bay is being restructured and Eric Chaisongkram who has served as the program’s director since the inception will now become the Director of Soccer. Angel Rodriguez will remain as the Development Director.
“Not only is Ziggy right for Albion SC, Ziggy is right for South Bay,” says Gins.
“As the Assistant Coach at San Diego State University (SDSU), I know first hand the value of correct player development,” says Korytoski. “Albion’s Development Advancement Placement Model provides all the tools necessary to create the optimum environment to help San Diego’s talented South Bay players realize their potential.”
“The time is right in my career to take on this responsibility,” continued Korytoski. “I have been very fortunate and traveled the world — and the Albion SC model from top to bottom is tremendous — with the age appropriate Development Advancement Placement Model all the way to the Pros, Albion SC is a professionally run organization and this is the perfect opportunity for me to get into the grassroots level and give back.”
“As a college coach, I have often reflected on player development and know the difference an excellent development environment can make,” says Korytoski.
“The players in the South Bay grow up in a soccer culture and it becomes second nature for someone in that area to want to be a soccer player. These youths are watching soccer as much as much as they can and live and breath the game. This excites me.”
Korytoski moved to San Diego just over a year to coach Men’s Soccer at SDSU — and the college has just received its highest rankings in recent years — ranking 7th overall according Soccer America. Korytoski looks forward to continuing his work at SDSU as the team opens its 12th season of Pac-12 play as well as becoming the DOC at Albion South Bay.
