Sporting Nebraska FC Posts

Jacob Spilker - Program Director - Lincoln

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:22:57 GMT

Welcome our new Program Director in Lincoln

Sporting Nebraska FC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jacob Spilker as the Program Director in Lincoln. Spilker brings a wealth of experience and a passion for youth soccer development to the organization.

In his new role, Spilker will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Sporting Nebraska FC Lincoln program, including curriculum development, coach education,

and player development. He will work closely with the board of directors, coaches and players to ensure that the organization provides a positive and challenging environment for all participants.

“We are excited to announce Jacob in this role,” said Sven Jasinski, club ED. “Jacob’s proven track record of success and his commitment to youth player development make him a perfect fit. We are confident that he will help us to provide our players with the best possible coaching and training. Jacob’s knowledge and experience in the Lincoln soccer community will be key in our development as a club.”

Spilker joined Sporting Nebraska last January after a successful history in youth soccer since 2015. After playing soccer at Bethany College, Jacob continued his soccer pathway on the coaching track. He worked with Capital Soccer Association in Lincoln, Sporting Kaw Valley in Kansas and went back to Bethany as an assistant. Jacob currently holds his USSF C License.

Jacob Spilker -

“I believe in creating a positive, player-centered environment where athletes are pushed to grow in all aspects of the game. My focus is on helping players read and understand the game best and then find the tools to succeed in all situations. While winning is important, I also prioritize creating a foundation of character, discipline, and confidence. I aim to prepare players for the next level, both on the field and in life, by encouraging them to embrace challenges, make decisions under pressure, and grow through both success and failure. I view soccer as a tool for building life skills and shaping strong individuals, and my goal is to create a culture where players are not only great athletes but also resilient individuals.”

Staff Announcements - Welcoming New Beginnings

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 18:04:12 GMT

Daniella Pappas - Assistant Director of Coaching - Girls

Sporting Nebraska FC is excited to share that Daniella ‘Dani’ Pappas has accepted the position as Assistant Director of Coaching for the Girls. Dani will be working directly with our Girls Director, Alex Mason. She brings an extensive playing and coaching background, and a massive network that reaches across the country.

Included in her role as Assistant DoC, Dani will take over as the Director for the Girls Academy (GA). Her understanding of the national pathway, player development, and vision for the future of program made her the perfect fit for this job. From the beginning, when Alex and our club president, Sven Jasinski, were working on joining the Girls Academy, it was part of their plan to promote highly skilled female coaches for these leadership positions.

"I'm thrilled to embark on this journey as the Assistant Director of Coaching and Girls Academy Director!" Dani said, "Being a part of the Sporting team is an immense privilege, and I'm eager to dive in, learn, and grow alongside this incredible program. I'm dedicated to contributing to its ongoing success and making a positive impact every step of the way."

In addition, Dani will lead and manage our girls’ college pathway development and oversee our club-wide coaching education.

"Sporting Nebraska FC’s greatest asset is our staff and coaches. Hiring Dani into her dual leadership roles is a vital part of preparing our club for the new exciting challenges ahead. I am looking forward to working closely with her." Sven Jasinski, President, and GM.

---------

Luke Baxter - Club Technical Director - Boys & Girls

Sporting Nebraska FC is excited to announce the appointment of Luke Baxter as our new Club Technical Director.

Luke is a vital part of the Sporting staff. His wealth of experience and expertise in coaching and player development has a proven track record of success. As Sporting Nebraska FC continues to expand, so did the desire for a Technical Director. Luke will be leading the development and implementation of a club-wide game model, curriculum, and training programs based on age and developmental level. In addition, he will be overseeing the player evaluation process and spearheading a club-wide program regarding game analysis and video assistance. Luke's focus will be on guiding our players to reach their full potential on the field and in the classroom.

"After restructuring our Academy, the creation of this new club wide staff position is another important strategic step and investment to strengthen all our soccer programs and enhance the quality of our main focus - player development. This will cement our metro market leadership position. Luke with his excellent skill set is the perfect fit for this role." Sven Jasinski, President, and GM.

Luke will work closely with our coaching, academy and recreational directors and staff to ensure that all our players receive the highest quality training and support to excel both on and off the field. In speaking with Luke, his vision for this new role aligns with our goals of fostering a competitive and positive environment for our players to thrive.

"Thank you to Sven and the board for this opportunity. I am excited to take on this new role as the Technical Director, and I look forward I look forward to working closely with the leadership, coaches and players on both the girls’ and the boys’ programs, as we continue to push the standard of excellence both on and off the field." said Luke.

----

Alex Mason

"I have enjoyed the last 30 years as a leader within our great club." Alex Mason said, "I have never been as excited about its future as I am now with Dani, Luke, Michael and Nathan taking on their new roles. These directors sharing their skills and knowledge will be a massive asset to the club, our members, and the game of soccer in Omaha."

For more information about Sporting Nebraska FC and the boys' program, please visit www.sportingnebraskafc.com .

Nathan May Named Assistant Director for the Boys Program

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 12:22:55 GMT

Sporting Nebraska FC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Nathan May as the new Assistant Director of Coaching for the Boys. Nathan brings a wealth of experience and a proven history of success in youth soccer development.

Nathan is entering his 7 ^th year with Sporting Nebraska FC as a staff coach and will now add this new role to his responsibilities. With over a decade of coaching experience at various levels, his career has been marked by a commitment to fostering talent and a passion for the game, qualities that align perfectly with the club’s mission to develop skilled, confident, and well-rounded athletes. Nathan has quickly made a name for himself in the soccer community and created environments that promote individual and collective growth for his players. He is driven to consistently improve the level of coaching he provides.

In his role as Assistant Director of Coaching, Nathan will work closely with Boys Director Karl Ostrand to oversee the development of the boys' program. His responsibilities will include designing training programs, mentoring coaches, and ensuring players receive the highest levels of instruction and support. Nathan’s focus will be on creating a positive, competitive, and educational environment that encourages players to reach their full potential on and off the field.

“We are excited to have Nathan accept this new role on our staff,” said Sven Jasinski, Executive Director at Sporting Nebraska FC. “Nathan's dedication to player development and his strategic approach to coaching make him an excellent fit for this position. We are confident that he will play a key role in elevating our boys' program to new heights.”

Comment from Nathan May - "I have always been grateful for the privilege to work with and for Sporting Nebraska players, and I am appreciative that I am being trusted by the club to be in this role. I now relish the opportunity to help continuously drive improvement to the youth soccer experience for Sporting coaches, players and families. I think Sporting is a great club with player centric values, and I want to continue to help bring those values to life and drive change and improvement that provide the most challenging and caring environment for players at all levels."

Sporting Nebraska FC is committed to providing a premier soccer experience for all players. The addition of Nathan May to this role underscores the club’s dedication to excellence and its continuous effort to offer the best resources and opportunities for player development.

For more information about Sporting Nebraska FC and the boys' program, please visit www.sportingnebraskafc.com .

Welcome Michael Doria, Academy Director for Omaha

Fri, 10 May 2024 21:49:06 GMT

Sporting Nebraska FC welcomes Michael Doria as new Academy Director

The Sporting Nebraska FC board and staff are pleased to announce Michael Doria as the new Academy Director for our Boys & Girls Programs in Omaha. A long-time resident of Omaha and staple in the Nebraska soccer community, Michael brings years of coaching, playing, administrative and business experience to the position. We know he will be a great resource for our Academy coaches and players. Michael will work together with the Boys’ & Girls’ Assistant Directors to develop the overall framework and vision for the Sporting Nebraska FC U8-U12 programs.

With the continuing growth in the soccer landscape, this strategic initiative to restructure our Academy programs is the steppingstone for the future of our youth program. In Michael’s Academy Director role, he will work with our U13-U19 staff to focus on creating a clear understanding of the club’s philosophy and pathway for players to progress through the academy, and eventually, into the competitive program levels.

With plans for the 2024-2025 season underway, Michael’s first project begins next week with the Academy Open House. You can find more information on Michael Doria and our Omaha Academy program under Programs, Omaha Academy.

Sporting Nebraska FC Coach of the Month Recipients

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:10:43 GMT

Recognizing our Staff

Celebrating our coaches is one of the things we enjoy the most about our club. Thank you to the dedication to our players and the game that these coaches show each day!

Ben Damewood

"Congratulations to Ben our Sporting Nebraska FC boys coach of the month! Ben has been a pillar in the Nebraska soccer community for many years. We are grateful he is part of our coaching family as he brings a wealth of knowledge and love of the game to his players. We know he has impacted his teams both on and off the field in a positive way as they become young men with character." - Karl Ostrand, Boys' Director of Coaching

Liz Wolf

"Liz is a great contributor to the staff in Lincoln. She is currently one of our Goalkeeping trainers who also coaches the U10 & U13 girls. She is always willing to assist other coaches with training sessions and coach games when asked. Liz has an amazing rapport with her players and gets the most out of them in training sessions, as well as on the field of play! " - Ed Meitzen, Lincoln Director of Coaching

Sporting Nebraska FC Coach of the Month Recipients

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:37:44 GMT

Recognizing our Staff

Celebrating our coaches is one of the things we enjoy the most about our club. Thank you to the dedication to our players and the game that these coaches show each day!

JJ Zekpa

"Coach JJ is our boys coach of the month. His passion for the game and player development is equaled by his commitment to seeing young men grow on and off the field. He creates a positive atmosphere in training and games while motivating players to push their limits. We are proud to have coach JJ on our staff and look forward to many more successes with his players and our club." - Karl Ostrand, Boys' Director of Coaching

Matt Bragg

"Coach Bragg has been with the club for almost 11 years and during that time he has trained hundreds of our club players. Over those years, the number of players that started in our Girls Academy program continued to finish out their soccer careers with us at Sporting, and many went on to play at the collegiate level. Each year, Coach Bragg oversees up to 100 players between the Academy, Pre-Academy and helping out with the Recreational program. This dedication is greatly appreciated by all at Sporting Nebraska FC. An additional fun fact, Coach Bragg is a Queens Park Rangers fan." - Alex Mason, Girls' Director of Coaching

SDL All Star Roster Posted

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:37:17 GMT

Sporting KC Development League - All Star Game

This weekend kicks off the Sporting KC Development League (SDL), which is an independent youth soccer league featuring Academy Affiliate clubs from across the region. Each season our Sporting Nebraska FC boys U11 (2013) & U12 (2012) age groups participate in the event against some of the top teams across our affiliation.

This year SKC created an All Star event. Three players from each age group will represent their club in the All Star game on March 9th. We are also proud to announce that our Boys' Director of Coaching & U12 Pre-ECNL coach, Karl Ostrand, was selected to coach one of the U12 teams! Along with Karl, please help us congratulation the following players:

2012

Adrian Becerra

Aedan McCormick

Charles Thomas

2013

Jace Ackerman

Lucas Shepard

Shawn Stephenson

Good luck to our teams this weekend and throughout the season!

Sporting Nebraska Coach of the Month Recipients

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:04:35 GMT

Sporting NE COMs

Another month and another opportunity to appreciate our staff! Congratulations to our Coaches of the Month!

Ed Brown

"Coach Brown has been involved in soccer over the last two decades, first as a parent whose daughter played within the then Arsenal club, then as a coach at the Gladiator program, and after a break for a few years, he came back to the SNFC Academy girls program. Coach Brown heads our u8s and is ever present in all they do. Coach Brown has a trained eye in player development as he guides our young future soccer stars on their pathway. Ed enjoys his grandchildren, woodworking, and watching the Liverpool Football (soccer) team whenever he is free.

We thank Ed for all he does, and has done, for our players. He is one of a kind!"- Alex Mason, Girls' Director of Coaching

Justin Haas

"Coach Justin Haas currently serves as a Junior Varsity (JV) coach at Waverly High School and holds the position of U15 Head Coach for the Sporting Nebraska Waverly U15 team. His coaching tenure has been marked by notable achievements, including leading his U15 team to a first-place finish in the Fall 2013 season for the 7v7 division at the Nebraska Youth Soccer League.

Coach Haas is renowned for his exceptional patience and genuine care for his players, both on and off the field. He goes above and beyond to support and mentor his athletes, offering guidance and assistance not only during training sessions and matches but also in their personal development outside of the sporting arena. We thank Coach Haas for all he has done and congratulate him on this honor." - Jorge Zuniga - Waverly Academy

Sporting Nebraska FC Coach of the Month Recipients

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:45:13 GMT

Sporting NE COMS

Another month and another opportunity to appreciate our staff! Congratulations to our Coaches of the Month!

Amanda Gangwish

"Amanda works as our head coach for the 2009 NPL team and assists with the 2008 age as well. In her short time with the club she has quickly shown her qualities as a coach. She is an incredible asset to Sporting Nebraska FC, bringing her passion for the game and kids and getting the best out of her players. We are super excited to have her on board, and look forward to her continued work and development with the players. Congratulations Amanda!"- Ed Meitzen, Lincoln Director of Coaching

Nathan May

"Congratulations to Nathan May who is our December Coach of the Month. Nathan coaches our 2008 B ECNL team. His ability to connect with his players and teach them the beauty of the game has not gone unnoticed. The continued success of the players, both on and off the field, is a credit to the environment and culture established by Nathan. We are blessed to have Nathan on our staff and look forward to more with him and his team." - Karl Ostrand - Boys' Director of Coaching

GA Players Selected to Talent ID

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 01:06:27 GMT

Players Selected to GA Talent ID

Sporting Nebraska FC would like to congratulate our 15 players selected to the 2023-2024 Girls Academy Midwest Talent ID. These players were chosen by the GA Directors of the Midwest Conference clubs and identified as the top players for their collective age groups. Our players will represent the 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 teams in Des Moines on February 3, 2024.

The purpose of the Talent ID Event is to highlight, identify, and improve top talent competing in the Girls Academy, while exposing players with opportunities to succeed at the highest level. To accomplish this, each conference will host an invite-only ID event held over one weekend per year. From there, stand-out players at Conference Talent ID events may be selected to participate in National Talent ID events. This event will also provide players the opportunity to be identified, evaluated, and potentially contacted by college coaches and US Soccer scouts in attendance.

We would like to congratulate each of our players and wish them all the best at the Talent ID!

Sporting Nebraska FC Coach of the Month Recipients

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:50:13 GMT

Sporting Nebraska FC Coach of the Month Recipients

Another month and another opportunity to appreciate our staff! Congratulations to our Coaches of the Month!

Ashley Holland

"Since Ashley joined our coaching staff as the lead Female Goalkeeper coach, the success of the program has been outstanding. The interaction and passion in Ashley's leadership with the players and staff has continued build our keeper attendance and the programs reputation overall. In addition to Ashley's role with Sporting Nebraska FC, she is also an assistant at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Ashley was a local soccer player so her return to Omaha was greatly welcomed.

Thank you Ashley for all your hard work and dedication. This award is well deserved." - Alex Mason, Girls' Director of Coaching

Alex Johnson

"Congratulations to Alex Johnson who is our November Coach of the Month. Alex coaches our 2011 B ECNL RL team. Like all our coaches, he dedication to his team is awesome! He teaches the boys the game but also how to become men of character. We are grateful to have Alex on our staff and look forward to his team’s success in the future.." - Karl Ostrand - Boys' Director of Coaching