Andrew Sparkes Coaching Bio
Andrew Sparkes currently the Academy Goalkeeper coach for FC Red Bull Salzburg, Austria. Sparkes spent 3 years as the New York Red Bulls Academy Full-Time Goalkeeper coach. Previous to joining the Academy staff, Sparkes headed up the Red Bulls pre-academy goalkeeper program (RDS) since 2006.
In 2011, Andrew was transferred to Red Bulls main club, Red Bull Salzburg, Austria. Three Goalkeepers gained International experience
In October, Andrew was asked to instruct on the Austrian Goalkeeper Course for Austrian FA to all the Reserve and Academy Goalkeeper coaches of Austria Bundesliga teams.
During 2010, a total of 6 Red Bull Goalkeepers were called into USA National Teams, more than any club in the US.
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 two years and was also 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 also played in the Welsh League for Neath AFC. He has also been a training member of Red Bulls First Team.
In 2011, Andrew was transferred to Red Bulls main club, Red Bull Salzburg, Austria. Three Goalkeepers gained International experience
- Alexander Schlager U16s Austrian National Team
- U18 Goalkeeper Thomas Dahne was selected for the German National team at the FIFA u17 World Cup in Mexico and the other
- U18s Goalkeeper Michael Drga was selected for the Austrian National team for u17 Euro Championships in Denmark.
In October, Andrew was asked to instruct on the Austrian Goalkeeper Course for Austrian FA to all the Reserve and Academy Goalkeeper coaches of Austria Bundesliga teams.
During 2010, a total of 6 Red Bull Goalkeepers were called into USA National Teams, more than any club in the US.
- 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.
- August 2010, Nicky Pritchard, Red Bulls u13 Goalkeeper is called into the US National Camp in MA.
- September 2010. Gianni Carillo, Red Bulls u15 Goalkeeper was called into the U15 US National Camp
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 two years and was also 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 also played in the Welsh League for Neath AFC. He has also been a training member of Red Bulls First Team.
