ABYSA Executive Director Mike Rottjakob is pleased to announce that Matt Barry is joining ABYSA/HFC as our new Classic Boys Director of Coaching. He is beginning the transition now, will be engaged with our existing staff during the tryout process, and will be on board full time as we prepare for our next year of HFC soccer.
Matt’s responsibilities will include hiring, supervising and mentoring the coaching staff; developing and administering the soccer curriculum; and providing support and council to the players and parents as needed. He will coach a couple teams as well. Matt will work closely with me, and our leadership team, to write the next chapter in our clubs journey toward excellence. Among Matt’s strongest attributes are his ability to create a positive environment where players can thrive as both soccer players and young people and his ability to create a vision and articulate a path toward success for players on the field.
“I like to say that soccer is the vehicle we use to teach young people about life. It has the ability to teach young people about hard work, communication skills, conflict resolution and many other life skills. I feel lucky to be able to work in a career where I teach the game I love and help young people grow into young adults. I am very excited for the opportunity to work at ABYSA/HFC. It is a great organization, with a great history, and I am happy to be able to add to it.” - Matt Barry
Matt was with South Carolina United as a staff coach for their highest-level teams from 2006-2016. He was named South Carolina United Coach of the Year on several occasions with both boys and girls teams. In 2015 he was named Boys High School Coach of the Year. Most recently (2016-to present), he served as Director of Coaching for Tri-Cities United (formerly FC Dallas TRI) in Northeast Tennessee. In 2017 Matt was named the Tennessee State Soccer Association Girls Coach of the Year. Matt has his USSF B License and brings nearly 19 years of youth soccer coaching and administrative experience to the HFC Boy’s Classic program.
I am extremely excited that Matt has joined our team. We are looking at ways that Matt can have an audience with you, and learn even more about our club, between now and our very busy tryout season just ahead. As you are able, please take a moment to introduce yourself to him, and join me in welcoming Matt to ABYSA/HFC! You can email Matt at [email protected]