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Clewlow, ACGK to Run Kickers Youth Club Goalkeeper Program

By RichmondKickersYouth.com, 03/01/21, 4:00PM EST

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Former Pro Player and Coach Returns to Youth Club


Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

RICHMOND, Va. – (Monday, March 1, 2021) – The Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club is pleased to announce the addition of Adrian Clewlow and ACGK, who will oversee all goalkeeper operations in the club effective immediately.  
 
"We are delighted that Adrian has agreed to return and oversee all aspects of our Goalkeeping Program,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Youth Club Executive Director. “He has extensive playing and coaching experience in both the pro and youth ranks and has been part of the Richmond soccer community for over 20 years. His passion for the Kickers and the goalkeeper position is second to none. Our plan is to create a year-round program for our goalkeepers that significantly improves upon the training, support and overall goalkeeper experience for our players and we look forward to ACGK making an immediate impact in this regard.
 
Clewlow and the ACGK staff will be responsible for all Kickers youth goalkeeper programming, including U9/10 Goalkeeper Training, Elite and Classic Training, and Camps and Technical Training. The goalkeeper sessions for the Spring season will begin on March 17th.
 
“I am very thankful to Leigh for giving me the opportunity to return to the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club and to work with the outstanding core of goalkeepers in the youth programs,” commented Clewlow. “The ACGK staff consists of current and former professional and collegiate players and coaches, and all are focused on creating a dynamic training environment in which goalkeepers will be encouraged to explore the goalkeeping position fully. We will introduce the wonders of the goalkeeper position to the younger age groups, implement appropriate age-specific developmental programs across all ages, identify those who are able to compete at more advanced levels and provide constant feedback so that each individual is able to make a commitment to their personal development goals throughout the year. I am looking forward to establishing a fully comprehensive goalkeeping program that will be challenging, engaging, and progressive for all ages."
 
The ACGK staff includes Clewlow, Akira Fitzgerald (Richmond Kickers Pro Goalkeeping Coach and Goalkeeper), Austin Aviza (Richmond Kickers Pro Goalkeeper), Mike Kirk (former Rio Grande Valley FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Lansing Ignite Goalkeeper), Jacob Reimers (Longwood University Senior Captain), and Ashley Boardman (former Kickers Youth Elite goalkeeper and current Colby College player). 
 
Originally from Dover, England, Adrian Clewlow is the owner and Goalkeeping Director of ACGK, LLC, and holds a FA Youth Coaching Certification, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, and is a USSF licensed coach.
 
Clewlow played in the youth and academy teams for both Gillingham F.C. and Chelsea F.C. in England, and also represented England at the U-18 schoolboy level, making his debut against Switzerland in Zurich. He later attended the University of Richmond, where he was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Richmond Spiders. Nominated as the CAA Rookie of the Year, and a two-time All-South Regional All-American in his final two seasons, Clewlow led the team to the 1998 CAA Championship.
 
Clewlow’s professional playing career included stints with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, New Orleans Storm, and two seasons with the Richmond Kickers, before coaching college soccer at Randolph-Macon College, Franklin Pierce University, and the University of Richmond. Clewlow has coached the previous eight seasons with the Kickers pro team.