TG Lions Academy Names New Director Of Girls Program

U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Competitive Coach of the Year Ron Edele Named the Director of Girls Program at St. Louis-based TG Lions Academy Soccer Club

(ST. LOUIS) -- TG Lions Academy, one of St. Louis’ longest-established select soccer clubs, has named Ron Edele the Director of Girls Program, club owner and former professional coach and soccer player Tony Glavin announced today.

Edele, whose honors include 2019 Missouri Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) Coach of the Year and 2020 U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) Midwest Competitive Coach of the Year, will be responsible for expanding the club’s U8-U18 girls program, developing training programs, and overseeing player development in-line with the club’s philosophy. He will also oversee and mentor girls’ team coaches, and continue his role as coach for the U16 (2005), U13 (2008), U11 (2010) and U10 (2011) girls’ soccer teams.

"Over the last few years as a coach with us, Ron has demonstrated his leadership and ability to empower players to train, be creative on the pitch, and enjoy playing. When you provide a competitive sports environment, it's important to remember these are kids - they seek fun, thrive on parent support, and develop at different rates individually and physiologically they mature. Ron understands these dynamics, so having a person with the acumen and perspective he has leading our Girls' program is not only wonderful for us, but also for players and families," said Glavin.

Glavin, who owns the St. Louis Lions Men's (USL2) and Women's (WPSL) soccer team franchises, spent much of his career playing for the St. Louis Steamers and later coached the Steamers, Kansas City Comets and St. Louis Ambush. He formed TG Lions Academy, formerly Tony Glavin Soccer Club, 27 years ago to provide a family-friendly club for all players with a full path for development from beginner-level soccer to professional soccer. The TG Lions Academy pathway to pro for athletes includes:

• Developmental Program (KDG-8th/Beginner)
• TG Lions Junior Academy/ Pre-Select (KDG-2nd)
• TG Lions Club Select (3rd-12th)
• TG Celtic Elite Academy (3rd-12th)
• Super Y Academy (High School)
• St. Louis Lions Men's & Women's soccer teams (Amateur)
• Celtic FC (Professional)

TG Lions Academy is an affiliate of Celtic FC, based in Glavin's hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. The club trains at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex in St. Charles, Mo, comprised of a stadium field, two 7v7, two 9v9, two 11v11, and a European-sized indoor field.

A husband and father of two daughters, Ron Edele is a former collegiate soccer player with 8 years of experience coaching. He's well-regarded for his ability to empower and connect with players of all ability levels, which he notes also comes with the responsibility of educating parents about the peaks and valleys that exist in the journey of soccer development to ensure kids have healthy, balanced lives as their love for the sport grows. Since 2014 he has coached Soccer Stars, a group of recreational soccer teams to provide a forum for rec and competitive soccer players who love to don their purple jerseys and develop skills while also having fun discovering their own abilities and friendships with teammates. Edele currently serves as the U8 and Under Girls Commissioner for the St. Charles Community Soccer Association (SCCYSA).

"We pride ourselves in providing an atmosphere where all players and families feel welcome, and in our philosophy for individual player development so that players develop key skills and the foundation needed soccer to carry them as far as they'd like to go," said Glavin. “I’m looking forward to Ron being a greater part of our club and soccer community.”

Statement from Ron Edele:

“While my role here at TG Lions Academy will change slightly, my approach to our players and families will not. My focus has always been on making soccer fun for all players and training them in such a way that they build a love of the game. Once they fall in love with it, the development, with a little help from our training, takes care of itself.

Development is always the focus, even over wins/losses as we are looking to make players for life, not just a weekend tournament. We reward creativity and bravery while helping players learn to make their own decisions on the pitch. We foster a fear free environment and allow players to make mistakes in order to ultimately grow as a player both individually and for the good of their teams.

I've been lucky so far getting to work with so many great players and their families over the past few years here and am really excited for the future here. Working alongside Tony will allow me to grow as a coach and person in the game, and this is an opportunity that I'm very appreciative to be given.”

To learn more about team tryouts, summer camps, tournaments, and other programs at TG Lions Academy, visit www.tonyglavin.com and follow the club on social media.