 Coach Dean Slaughter |
A holder of FA, UEFA, USSF and NSCAA coaching qualifications, Dean joined SONESOCCER with experience coaching many levels of the game in both Europe & United States. A former academy and development academy coach at professional club Wycombe Wanderers in England, where he helped a number of players develop into full-time professional, Dean has been coaching soccer for eight years - the last three in Northern New Jersey. Dean’s education includes the study of Sport Science, including sports psychology, bio-mechanics, and fitness training methods, which led to his initial employment as a personal fitness trainer, another perspective he can offer his teams.
"I have worked in and around the New Jersey area for the past 4 years," says Dean "and realize the potential that exists here to really make a difference. I am committed to pushing players to meet their full potential, and SONESOCCER has given me this chance not just to push the talented to be best but to push the best to be even better."
Dean also serves as the assistant coach to both the highly competitive STA Crush, and the Millburn High School Varsity girls soccer team, helping them to an Essex County Championship in 2009. |
 Coach Erwin Van Bennekom
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Erwin brings with him an expansive array of coaching qualifications and experience from across the world, as well as a proven reputation to work with teams up to and including those at the highest level. A Physical Education graduate with a major in sports marketing and management, Erwin has UEFA B, KNVB TCII, NSCAA and USSF licenses, and studied for his Skills Training License with Rene Mulensteen, the Manchester United Assistant coach. He has an upcoming UEFA A license, and is a regular attendee of coaching clinics and seminars in his efforts to keep his skills current. A former youth professional player in the Netherlands, Erwin has achieved considerable success on the coaching side with higher level teams and players in New Jersey, and has worked as an individual skills development coach with players who have played in state and regional ODP programs, D1 colleges, and national teams, well as achieving considerable success with the teams he has coached. Currently the co-Head Coach of Jersey Select of the WPSL, and Head Coach of their U20s, he has many years' experience working in New Jersey with regionally and nationally ranked teams, progressing them to higher levels, including JAGS, MAPS, and Region One Leagues, State Cup finals, while winning numerous tournaments across the North-East, and working within the New Jersey State ODP program. Erwin is currently the head-coach of Real NJ Power, a U16 girls team out of Mount Laurel who are ranked 2nd in New Jersey, top 10 in Region 1 and top 30 in the country. Erwin's role at SONESOCCER is as the Regional Coordinator for Southern Jersey, where he resides, also coordinating team training, camps, private training, and other training programs. "I have always enjoyed developing skills and teams", he identifies, "and this role allows me to help build programs and develop clubs with the SONESOCCER philosophy". Outside of his work, Erwin's hobbies include snowboarding, surfing and golf. |