Andrew Sparkes Coaching Bio
Andrew Sparkes is currently the New York Red Bulls Academy Full-Time Goalkeeper coach. During the MLS off season, he also works with the first team goalkeepers of the Red Bulls. Previous to joining the Academy staff, Sparkes headed up the Red Bulls pre-academy goalkeeper program (RDS) since 2006.
Andrew holds the top two goalkeeping licenses in the United States; the USSF National Goalkeeper License and the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, as well as his UEFA "B" Goalkeeper License. Sparkes has also served as the Super Y National ODP Goalkeeper coach for the last two years and has recently been added as a National Goalkeeper Instructor for the NSCAA.
As a player, the Wales native played for his hometown club, Swansea City, at the youth and reserve team level and also represented his country as various youth levels before moving into the coaching ranks at the Swans, overseeing the goalkeepers in the youth academy. Sparkes has also been a training member of Red Bulls First Team for the last 4 seasons.
- During the 2009 season, Red Bulls Goalkeeper Keith Cardona was invited to join the prestigious USMNT U17 Residency program in Bradenton, FL. Cardona recently graduated Residency after U17 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria.
- January 2010, saw another Red Bulls goalkeeper, Santiago Castano invited to Residency after impressing at u15 National team camps.
- May 2010, Red Bulls u14 Goalkeeper Evan Louro was called into the US u14 National Camp held at the home Depot Center, LA.
- June 2010, Alek Gogic became the 4th Red Bull Goalkeeper to be called into a National Team Camp in 2010, after being called into the u14 National team camp in NJ.
Andrew holds the top two goalkeeping licenses in the United States; the USSF National Goalkeeper License and the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, as well as his UEFA "B" Goalkeeper License. Sparkes has also served as the Super Y National ODP Goalkeeper coach for the last two years and has recently been added as a National Goalkeeper Instructor for the NSCAA.
As a player, the Wales native played for his hometown club, Swansea City, at the youth and reserve team level and also represented his country as various youth levels before moving into the coaching ranks at the Swans, overseeing the goalkeepers in the youth academy. Sparkes has also been a training member of Red Bulls First Team for the last 4 seasons.
