PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands;
Monday, December 16th, 2013 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Football
Association (TCIFA) has confirmed the appointment of Craig Harrington as its new Technical Director.
Harrington,
a native of Hillingdon, England, is a former youth player at Swindon Town and
Oxford United. Having spent three seasons (2010-2013) coaching at the premier
major league Soccer Club, LA Galaxy, Craig assisted Academy and Club President
Chris Klein with the development and growth of all the Galaxy Academy programs.
As head coach of the U16 LA Galaxy Academy Team, Harrington led his squad to
the 2011-12 USSDA SoCal Division Championship as well as having four (4)
players called up to the U15 US National Team and eight (8) players called up
to the U17 US National Team. What is more, Harrington was also a part of the
club’s staff that won consecutive MLS Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Prior
to joining the Galaxy in 2010, Harrington spent six (6) years as Director of
Coaching at the Newport Mesa Club and Technical Director at the Tustin Premier
Soccer Club. He also worked two years as coach at Santiago Community College.
Harrington, who moved on to coaching after concluding his professional playing
career, holds a U.S. Soccer Federation "A"
coaching license (the highest such license awarded by the US Soccer
Federation). Additionally, he is also the holder of a Bachelors Degree (2001)
from the University of Kent.
Of the appointment, Chris Bryan, President of the TCIFA said: “We very much look forward to welcoming Craig Harrington as the
new Technical Director of the Football Association. We have been very thorough
in our recruitment process and have been successful in attracting a high caliber
individual with excellent coaching credentials. Craig has been involved in the
development of the game at professional level in North America and has good
contacts with semi pro clubs as well as colleges throughout the United States
and Europe. It is a reflection on the way we operate as an Association that we
can attract such outstanding candidates as Craig. We look forward to continuing
progression in youth player development as well as increasing the competiveness
of our national teams during his tenure.”
Sonia Bien-Aime,
Secretary General for the TCIFA seconded the President’s sentiments,
adding
that 2014 looks to be “spectacular” for the Association. She said:
“Craig's background, qualifications and overall experiences and
contacts will no doubt be of great benefit to the TCIFA as we look to
improving
our product. 2014 promises to be a spectacular year for the TCIFA,
partnering
with the CFU, CONCACAF and FIFA to introduce new and existing
opportunities to
the Football Association. I welcome with excitement the recruitment of
Craig Harrington as the new Technical Director.”
This upcoming year is anticipated to be an extremely busy and productive year
for the TCIFA with planned workshops, a myriad of football related courses,
international and regional competitions and the TCIFA is excited and optimistic
in the role Mr. Harrington will play in bringing these projects to fruition.
For more
information on the TCIFA, kindly contact Sonia Bien-Aime, Secretary General on
941-5532 or email tcifa@tciway.tc.
