|
|
|
|
Who is Dave Steele?
Dave Steele founded Grassroots in November 2016 after noticing very limited options in Damascus / Clarksburg where he lives.
Dave wants to give more opportunities in the area for kids to play , have fun and learn with friends.
Much of the area is very strict with soccer for try outs and high costs. Dave decided to create a system where participants did not have to sign up to contracts or big financial drops to play soccer.
Dave grew up in the suburbs of Manchester in England. He started playing soccer at 6 years old when he was given the chance to watch Manchester United train instantly falling in love with the sport.
‘I watched David Beckham train alone at the end of practice and was in awe seeing him hit free kicks through a hula hoop taped onto a post time and time again’
Dave went home and taped a hoop on his fence and continued to attempt to get the ball through for hours and hours each day. During this time period he was asked to play for his local team where he shown that hitting a ball at range accurately stood out for his age group catching the eye of professional club scouts.
Playing for Aston Villa and Bury F.C for his adolescent years Dave wanted to also participate in coaching the younger players , he acquired his UEFA B license before then getting the opportunity to play for the New York Cosmos. After staying in New York for 2 years he moved to Maryland and continued to coach before starting Grassroots.
Through his experience, Dave wants to give the players the fun factor of playing again without the stress levels that most young athletes go through to try and improve.
Combining his knowledge and playing experience with the cultural differences, Dave wants to help give players pathways as they go through their own soccer experiences.
Dave wants to give more opportunities in the area for kids to play , have fun and learn with friends.
Much of the area is very strict with soccer for try outs and high costs. Dave decided to create a system where participants did not have to sign up to contracts or big financial drops to play soccer.
Dave grew up in the suburbs of Manchester in England. He started playing soccer at 6 years old when he was given the chance to watch Manchester United train instantly falling in love with the sport.
‘I watched David Beckham train alone at the end of practice and was in awe seeing him hit free kicks through a hula hoop taped onto a post time and time again’
Dave went home and taped a hoop on his fence and continued to attempt to get the ball through for hours and hours each day. During this time period he was asked to play for his local team where he shown that hitting a ball at range accurately stood out for his age group catching the eye of professional club scouts.
Playing for Aston Villa and Bury F.C for his adolescent years Dave wanted to also participate in coaching the younger players , he acquired his UEFA B license before then getting the opportunity to play for the New York Cosmos. After staying in New York for 2 years he moved to Maryland and continued to coach before starting Grassroots.
Through his experience, Dave wants to give the players the fun factor of playing again without the stress levels that most young athletes go through to try and improve.
Combining his knowledge and playing experience with the cultural differences, Dave wants to help give players pathways as they go through their own soccer experiences.