Alpine FC and MP Strikers Announce Joint Appointment of DOC Owen Flannery

2009-11-20

The Boards of Directors of Alpine FC and MP Strikers are pleased to announce that Alpine FC Director of Coaching (DOC) Owen Flannery has also been appointed DOC at MP Strikers.

The Boards of Directors of Alpine FC and MP Strikers are pleased to announce that Alpine FC Director of Coaching (DOC) Owen Flannery has also been appointed DOC at MP Strikers. This appointment is the part of a series of strategic partnerships between the clubs designed to enhance the soccer experience for all children in the community.
 
Along with his duties at Alpine FC, Flannery is the Head Women's Coach at Foothill College.  When he took over the helm of the Foothill Owls three years ago, the team had never won their league; in the last three years they have won league twice (12-0 in 2009) and are currently ranked among the top JC programs in Northern California. Flannery has had the same type of success in every level of coaching (Menlo College, De Anza Force Club, among others).  His youth club teams have won three State Cup Championships and one National Championship.   Flannery will not have any direct coaching responsibilities at either club, but is entrusted with overseeing the coaching staff and creating programs to enhance the soccer experience at all age groups.
 
Alpine FC is composed of 20 teams ranging from U8-U18.  Mid-Peninsula Strikers has 22 teams ranging from U8-U17.  Both clubs draw the majority of their players from the communities of Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park and Atherton.  By partnering in various programs which will be directed by a joint Director of Coaching, the two clubs will be able to offer more programs and services to their players.
 
"This is a very exciting move for both clubs," said Flannery.  "It should ensure stability and allow Alpine FC and the MP Strikers to draw players and build robust teams at all ages and levels.  My first priority is to look at the existing age groups that might benefit by working together.  Age-appropriate player development is my highest priority, and longer-term, I believe this partnership will allow us to build the strongest and most stable teams for players at the Class 1 and Class 3 levels so that all players will have an appropriate team in our community."
 
In the year since joining Alpine FC, Flannery has launched numerous initiatives including:

• Speed & Agility training
• Club-wide goalkeeper training (at no direct cost to the player)
• Alpine Ants (preschool soccer and movement)
• Personal Training (clearinghouse for players looking for coaches)
• Alpine Attack Academy (training in an Academy environment prior to, or in conjunction with, joining a team)
• After-School Classes (skills classes for players who might not choose a competitive team but want to enhance basic skills and fitness)

"Owen has done an incredible job building new programs at Alpine FC to enhance the entire soccer experience and bringing the best and brightest coaches to the club," said AFC President Nancy Ditz.  "By sharing a DOC with the MP Strikers, we will ensure that we can build strong and stable teams at every age group."

"We are thrilled to have Owen Flannery as the DOC at MP Strikers," stated MP Strikers President Steve Ellingson.  "We have seen how Owen has improved the soccer program at Alpine FC while maintaining core club values.  His position as DOC for both clubs will allow us to optimize the benefits of the strategic alliance between MP Strikers and Alpine FC.  We are confident that the end result will be a vastly improved soccer experience for all of the youth soccer players in our local communities, regardless of playing level."