Colorado Springs, CO – Colorado Pride is proud to announce Sian Hudson as Head Coach for the 2015 W-League season. Hudson was an Assistant Coach and General Manager for the franchise’s inaugural year in 2014 and will be stepping up and taking the reigns in 2015. Also a Director of Coaching with Pride Soccer Club and former international player for Wales at every level, Hudson knows the women’s game from the grass roots level all the way to the international scene. Hudson will be replacing Daniel Clitnovici who led the new franchise to a Western Conference Final berth in their first year. Hudson knows she has a tough task ahead of her to repeat the success of 2014.
“We accomplished a great deal in our first year. We had tremendous off the field support, drew large crowds and played an attractive brand of soccer. Having been involved in this soccer community for the past decade, it was truly exciting to see all the fans at our games inspired by the quality of soccer on display on the field. We brought players in from all over the world and housed them in the local community. This gave local kids an opportunity to experience different cultures and learn what it takes to play at the highest level. I think the fact we had a melting pot of players from all over helped us create a team chemistry that was second to none. As I look forward to the 2015 season, my goal is to recruit a team capable of competing for a spot at the National Championships, to provide a training environment that improves every player individually, and to create an environment off the field that gives the girls a summer to remember”.
As a player, Hudson played in the English Super League and represented Wales at every age group in the European Championships from 1995-2000. In 1997, she became the youngest player to ever represent her country at the full international level. Hudson also worked with the Wales National team in a coaching capacity. Her most recent coaching stint was during European Qualification in Holland, in 2007.
Hudson is in her 13th year with Pride Soccer Club and has led the program to national prominence during her tenure. She spent time as a volunteer coach at Colorado College and has helped many of her youth players acquire scholarships at the collegiate level. She has an in depth insight on the college game and will be using her network of contacts to build a formidable team in 2015. "I have had the privilege of making a career in soccer and have travelled the world both as a player and coach. My goal is to provide a platform for every player to springboard their performance level and create opportunities to reach their potential, whether it be in a collegiate or professional environment. I want to continue to enhance Colorado Pride’s reputation as a place where players participate in a professional training environment. I’d also like to facilitate players’ transition into the higher professional ranks, and continue a style of soccer that our fan base will follow passionately,” Hudson stated. Last week, the W-League had a record number (18) former players drafted into the NWSL, including Pride’s Jessie Ayers. For current college players who have aspirations to play beyond graduation, the W-league is an excellent platform to gain exposure outside the college season.
Hudson holds a B.S. In Sports Coaching Science with a major in Sports Psychology and has her USSF ‘B’ License.