2025 north carolina player development project
Soccerfund founders Gary & Carine Ireland announce their player development program collaboration in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with legendary former UNC coach Anson Dorrance, winner of 22 NCAA Championships & FIFA Women's World Cup
The high cost of participation limits players' access to elite coaching & instruction, often excludes talented & ambitious youth players from realizing their potential & preventing parents from supporting their children's dreams.
Donor contributions enable us to coach, teach & train deserving players & helps us realize their ambition & provide the ability to track & support players academic, health & wellness performance
Your contribution enables us to train & teach players technically, physically, tactically & psychosocially grassroots-entry level, emerging youth talent, college & professional players individually & in dynamic-small group formats through the 3 phases of skill development: Introduction-Acquisition-Application.
Our player development philosophy is anchored through the teaching of quality material, intensity & frequency of self self-practice, supported by the importance placed on comparing, contrasting best practice with leading US & International coaching experts & creating technical partnerships & alliances with professional clubs, leagues & organizations. We link the US and global soccer community to the 'Triangle' region by inviting international players & teams to train & compete, allowing local players the ability to benchmark globally & for us to share our extensive knowledge of player development, training methods & standards. Our unique development culture is based on proven successful player development & winning, continuous improvement, dedication to self-practice & learning, imitating & emulating legendary players & fostering a passion for the game
(The Soccer Fund is a Nonprofit Corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status. Tax ID #82-4089217
"Anson's support allows us to access & train the best & most deserving talent. His endorsement enables us to develop the next generation of US female players by delivering our proven material & approach to world class technical training"
CARINE IRELAND
"The 3 of us can impact certainly on the level of the state of North Carolina youth soccer but also the national and international game because we see so many things the same way and we agree on absolutely everything about player development. You do an extraordinary job developing players"
ANSON DORRANCE
"Anson recognizes the importance of the US keeping up with the fast improving women's global game & has committed himself to doing everything he can to make this a reality. He loves everything about player development & especially the critical element of teaching players the ability to self train"
GARY IRELAND
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
We train & teach players technically, physically, tactically & psychosocially at grassroots-entry level, emerging youth talent, college & professional players individually & in dynamic-small group formats through the 3 phases of skill Introduction, Acquisition & Application. Our player development philosophy is anchored through the teaching of quality material, intensity & frequency of self self-practice, supported by the importance placed on comparing, contrasting, imitating & emulating legendary players
GLOBAL CONNECTION
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Triangle region is a gateway to the soccer world, ideally positioned at the forefront of global player development. Direct flights to all major US cities & European airports offer a year-round destination for domestic & international players, families, teams & clubs. We share best practice with leading US & international coaching experts & create technical partnerships & alliances with leading global professional clubs, leagues & organizations
DEVELOPMENT CULTURE
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
FINANCIAL, ACADEMIC AID & informational
Culture means 'the way we do things here'. Each region & country has their own unique soccer/football culture. Climate, socio-economics, community & social value place on soccer, lifestyle options, success & access to the game all impact culture. Our unique culture is based on proven successful player development & winning, continuous improvement, dedication to self-practice & learning & fostering a passion for the game. We link the world to the 'Triangle' region by inviting international players & teams to train & compete, allowing local players the ability to benchmark globally & for us to share our extensive knowledge of player development, training methods & standards
FINANCIAL, ACADEMIC AID & informational
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
FINANCIAL, ACADEMIC AID & informational
The high cost of participation limits players' access to elite coaching & instruction, often excluding talented & ambitious youth players from realizing their potential & preventing parents from supporting their children's dreams. Donor contributions enable us to coach, teach & train deserving players & helps us realize their ambition & provide the ability to track & support players academic, health & wellness performance
ASSESSMENT, RECOMMENDATIONS PLACEMENT
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
We scout, track & recommend players for all levels of youth club, college & professional game. Our extensive player evaluation & self evaluation features assists us identifying players strengths & weaknesses & align on areas of improvement. We provide independent training for US/ domestic players regardless of club affiliation. Overseas players don't require approval or international clearance to train
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT & RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SPACE
The development of facilities provide sustainable revenue sources for our coaching programs. We have identified several potential facility locations in the Triangle area that we are currently exploring. We aim to construct small sided soccer 'courts' which provide a cornerstone for our training & skills testing venue
ABOUT ANSON DORRANCE
UNRIVALED ACHIEVEMENTS
No-one has been more successful than 44 year UNC head coach Anson Dorrance, considered one of the most influential figures in global women's soccer history, winner of 22 NCAA national championships & FIFA World Cup Champion as coach of USA the women's national team.
Michael Jordan's UNC coach Dean Smith said about Anson Dorrance's program:
“This is a women’s soccer school. We’re just trying to keep up with them”
INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
61 UNC players have represented the USA under Dorrance's guidance with 12 players each having played over 100 games for the USA, more than any other team in college soccer history. President of the US Soccer Federation Cindy Parlow & former USA women's national team coach April Heinrichs were coached by Dorrance
including current England coach Sarina Wiegman legendary USA players Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Heather O’Reilly (ex-Arsenal), Megan Klingenberg, Tobin Heath (ex-Manchester United/Arsenal), Whitney Engen (ex-Liverpool), Lori Chalupny, Cat Reddick, Tisha Venturini, Lorrie Fair (ex-Chelsea), Ashlyn Harris, Crystal Dunn (ex-Chelsea), Allie Long, Tobin Heath (ex-Arsenal), Jessica McDonald. Current national team players include Alessia Russo (Arsenal/England), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England & 2022 FIFA World Player of Year), Emily Fox (Arsenal/USA), Crystal Dunn (ex-Chelsea/Gotham/USA), Ally Sentnor (Utah/USA). Over 200 players have played professionally
UNC CONNECTION
UNC CONNECTION
UNC & Anson Dorrance has been closely associated with Gary & Carine Ireland for over 25 years. Gary trained UNC legend Lorrie Fair & Carine trained UNC player Annie Kingman. They took UNC on tour to Australia, New Zealand on its 2007 NCAA championship post season. Current UNC GM & GK coach Chris Ducar was a former teammate of Gary's & started his coaching career with Gary in California before joining UNC as GK coach & head of recruiting
DONATIONS SUPPORT
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
SMALL GROUP TRAINING
PLAYER SEASON CLUB PARTICIPATION
PLAYER TOURNAMENT & SHOWCASE PARTICIPATION
PLAYER COLLEGE PREPARATION TRAINING
PLAYER COLLEGE ADVICE/CONSULTING
OVERSEAS PLAYER TRAINING EXPERIENCES
The Soccer Fund Tax ID #82-4089217 is a Nonprofit Corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status.
Donations are tax deductible under IRC section 170. To comply with IRS requirements regarding charitable donations, we affirm that no goods or services have been provided to you, in whole or in part, in consideration for your contribution. The Soccer Fund is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers and gifts under section 2055, 2106 and 2522 of the code. You will receive a tax receipt for your contribution. Consult a tax advisor regarding your specific situation. We accept various forms of charitable donations.