For Immediate Release - Friday, November 20, 2020
Media Contact: Jef Thiffault, Director of Club Development and Communications
jef.thiffault@fccopa.com / 732.662.5202 x205
METUCHEN, NJ - FC Copa Academy today announced the hiring of Craig Smillie as Manager of Programs and Staff Coach. Smillie will coordinate FC Copa Programs, such as specialized training, camps and clinics. He will also serve as an FC Copa Academy Team Head Coach. Originally from Scotland, Coach Smillie brings with him over fifteen years of coaching experience in the game spanning across the UK, Australia, and the US. Smillie has held previous roles as SFA Football development officer and Hamilton Academical youth coach in Scotland, Stockport County youth coach, Macclesfield Town youth coach in England, Fitzroy City FC head youth coach in Australia. He has served as a scout for Carmarthen Town in Wales. In the US, Coach Craig has worked with organizations such as United Soccer Academy, Mass Premier Soccer, Westfield (New Jersey) Soccer Association.
On the coaching side, Craig led his U15 Boys Mass Premier Soccer (Crusaders) to the National Finals in Tampa. His other experiences have led him to Scotland, England, Wales, Australia, and now stateside. Craig has obtained a UEFA B Coaching License, as well as his USSF F, and FA Level 1 coaching certifications, bringing valuable knowledge of the game to FC Copa. Smillie played professional football in his native Scotland for Hamilton Academical FC and for Fitzroy City FC in Australia.
“We are very happy to welcome Craig Smillie to the FC Copa community. Craig's experience and years in the youth soccer world are extensive and will be of great value to our teams and players. His energy, enthusiasm and professionalism make him a perfect fit, and we are excited to have him as part of our staff.” said FC Copa President and Executive Director of Coaching Roberto Aguas.
“I am delighted to be joining FC Copa as a staff coach and also assisting in the growth and running of our various programs. Copa has a rich history of success at the youth soccer level in New Jersey, and I am excited to be a part of that. I knew instantly that the club was the correct fit for me, as we possess the same values on and off the field. I look forward to what the future holds for me at FC Copa.” said Smillie.
Since its inception in 2004, FC Copa Academy has appeared in 26 state, 19 regional and 7 national finals & championships while having one of the highest college placement rates in the country, both soccer and academic, having placed over 340 students into over 180 collegiate programs and developed over 24 professional and national/international team players.
Registration for FC Copa Programs is currently open.
For more information, please visit FC Copa Academy at www.fccopa.com/programs or email: craig.smillie@fccopa.com
About FC Copa Academy www.fccopa.com
FC Copa Academy is a professional soccer organization founded in 2004, which has appeared in 26 state, 19 regional and 7 national finals & championships. FC Copa has one of the highest college placement rates in the country, both soccer and academic, having placed over 340 students into over 180 collegiate programs and developed over 24 professional and national/international team players. A soccer family consisting of over 750 members from the ages of 5 to 19 that come from all areas of NJ, NY, and PA. FC Copa is a year-round soccer development program assisting players in reaching their greatest potential with three locations; FC Copa Rutgers (Middlesex County, NJ), FC Copa Millstone (Monmouth County, New Jersey) and FC Copa Brooklyn (Aviator Sports in Brooklyn, NY). The focus is on educating the complete player with a knowledgeable and caring staff. FC Copa Academy teams compete in premier level leagues, tournaments, showcases, and competitions locally, regionally and nationally. FC Copa Academy fields both boys and girls teams in each age group from U7 through U19 and beyond. In addition to the youth academy, FC Copa Academy provides a pathway into the college, semi-pro and professional levels via its New Jersey Copa FC collegiate programs (U20 and U23) and United Women’s Soccer team.