Laura Eldridge is coming home.  When the Knoxville soccer community last saw her in 2005, she had just won a state championship with the Impact, one of FC Alliance’s root clubs.  The All-State forward from West High School went on to star at High Point University in North Carolina, earning All-Big South honors as a senior after scoring 18 career goals and starting an amazing 85 games in her collegiate career.  Armed with a degree in sports management, Eldridge will turn her attention to her roots.  She is the new agility trainer for all U9-U12 teams in the club. 

It is a step forward for Tennessee’s largest soccer club.  Eldridge brings a soccer specific curriculum to the table, which will incorporate skills training and soccer balls into the agility sessions.  Being able to draw from her vast playing experience is a huge key, as players will learn how to directly incorporate what they learn into games.

"This is great for the younger age groups," commented Darrick Lubell, director of the U9-U10 program.  "The kids will find this enjoyable because agility training will still be soccer."

Other directors agree.

"Having a soccer person in this role helps a lot," added Shane Moore, another FC Alliance director.  "Laura knows the game very well and will be able to continually tweak her curriculum to meet the needs of our players."