🎙️ NEW EPISODE: From Auckland → Akron → MLS → Coaching!

Cameron Knowles went from Auckland junior football to captaining Akron Zips, playing in the MLS, and becoming an MLS Cup-winning coach. In this episode, we talk about his journey through the US college system, the challenges of professional soccer, and his transition into coaching with Portland Timbers and Minnesota United.

You’ll learn:
⚽ What it takes to succeed as a US college athlete
🏆 Lessons from playing & coaching in MLS
📈 How to develop players in pro environments

If you are interested in the US College Pathway, we encourage you to connect with our trusted partners Platform Sports Management. If you use this link, they will see you’re a Strive 365 listener and will take special care of you - New Athlete Submission Page

Check out this short info story on Camerons first 3 games of the MLS season - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DImcbWPAuV3/?igsh=MTV6YzlxbHJmdGNpeg%3D%3D

#CameronKnowles #USSoccer #CollegeSoccer #MLS #SoccerDevelopment

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Geni is a mum to Poppy. A 17 year old talented football player, currently with our Melbourne Victory A league women’s squad as a youth development contracted player. UPDATE - Now a professional contact in Sept 2025.

This is a great conversation about navigating the challenges of the professional level as a teenage athlete, relocating the family to access better opportunities, the challenges of balancing education and sporting commitments and much more.

Geni is a sporting parent who is finding solutions to the daily challenges of having a high-performing, talented youth athlete in the house, which we know resonates with a large part of our audience.

There’s plenty to get out of this episode.

OK, Let's go!

If you enjoy the content and want to show your appreciation, you can shout me a coffee using the link below:
https://buymeacoffee.com/strive365

More great resources for sports parents here - https://amzn.to/46CrRxA

#sportingparent #parenting #youthathletesupport

Give us your feedback

Support the show

Become a member - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2380305/support

#STRIVE365

Instagram: @_strive365
YouTube: @STRIVE365podcast
LinkedIn: @garethturnbullstrive365
TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12

If you enjoy the content and want to show your appreciation, you can shout me a coffee using the link below: https://buymeacoffee.com/strive365

Check out some great coaching tools here - https://amzn.to/3VqU19D

This week's guest is Olli Harder. A football coach who by age 36 had achieved his UEFA Pro Licence, has been the head coach of West Ham Women’s in the WSL and been an assistant coach with the Norway men’s and women’s youth sides.

Now, that is an impressive CV. What is equally impressive, is that he is a Kiwi coach!

This is a great conversation, understand what it takes to make it in the real world of HP coaching, outside of the glitz and glam of seeing the world,

Ok, Let's go!

Coach:

• Overseas in 2008
• China
  • Club Football China Football Development Officer (2013)
• USA
  • Various roles 2010 – 2013
  • Assistant Coach Yale (2014)

o Klepp IL Womens Coach (2016 – 2019)

o Sandnes Ulf (2020 - 2021)

o Mens assistant coach

• West Ham Womens (WSL) (2021 – 2022)
  • Conti Cup and FA Cup semi finalists
  • Finished 6th in 2022 (highest ever points total)
• Sporting Director & Womens head Coach at SK Brann (Norway Toppserien)
  • League & Cup winners (2022)
• FK Viking (2023 – present)
  • Mens U23 & U19 teams
• Norway U21 mens (2023)
  • Assistant Coach
• Norway U23 womens (2018 – 2013)
  • Assistant Coach
• UEFA Pro Licence at 36 (2022)

#strive365 #vikingfk

@strive655 @nz_football @olliharder

Chapters -

0.45 Gareth & Olli’s origin story

3.30 Accumulating as many hours as possible as a coach, at home & abroad

12.00 Ensuring you create strong connections on your journey

16.00 Taking the leap of faith into the UK

24.00 The first big move into Scandinavia

31.30 Formalised coaching qualifications and the UEFA Pro Licence

43.45 Coaching West Ham Women’s in the WSL

54.50 Coaching Viking men’s professional and Norway Youth National teams

1.08.00 Rapid Fire Questions

Give us your feedback

Support the show

Become a member - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2380305/support

Give us your feedback

Support the show

Become a member - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2380305/support

#STRIVE365

Instagram: @_strive365
YouTube: @STRIVE365podcast
LinkedIn: @garethturnbullstrive365
TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12