Staff
Our Team of Professionals
At 7 Elite Academy we select coaches and staff members who have an incredible passion for soccer and want to become an intrinsic part of the success of the players and the teams. Their insight, experience and talents are the cornerstone of our Academy’s success. We’ve recruited men and women from literally around the globe to support the development of our players. With so much focus on coach development, we provide our teams the training, techniques and curriculum to help shape great athletes on and off the field.
Our team is encouraged to contribute, create, learn and share; and each coach has the support needed to help develop young athletes. This includes:
- Access to our robust training platform and curriculum
- One-on-one mentoring and support from the highest levels of the game
- Sharing best practices to support players with any skill level
While they realize their potential to create outstanding young players through development and competition, our coaches also realize the tremendous responsibility they have for impacting the lives of their players. The responsibilities and the work ethic of our coaches and staff members are held to the highest standards in the world.
Simply put, we care about our players as individuals and work diligently to earn the honor of wearing Seven on our jerseys each day. Being part of 7 Elite Academy is an honor, a responsibility and a passion each coach and staff member embraces—this is evident in the way we respect our players and the enthusiasm we have for the game of soccer.
Executive Staff at 7 Elite Academy
Anthony Godfrey - Global Technical Director
As the Academy's Global Technical Director, Anthony has spent the last 13 years as the Coaching Resource Manager at Liverpool F.C. helping develop a curriculum that provides a well-rounded education both on and off the field. Anthony has a UEFA A License.
Originally from the UK and still based in Liverpool, Anthony now directs the Coach Education and all soccer related activities at The Academy in the UK, US and across the world.
Daren Woolstenhulme - Executive Director/General Manager
Daren has spent 20 years working in soccer between California and Utah. He has held a myriad of different positions, everything from referee assigner, Competition Committee Rep, VP of Competition, and Regional Director to a club's founding director, US Youth soccer by laws and policies advisory committee member, as well as the 1st ever league commissioner for Utah Youth Soccer.
Daren is passionate about the sport, key on player and coach development as well as he believes in keeping a positive attitude, taking ownership and responsibility and that we all should be trying to learn something new every day. A unique fact about Daren is that he has competed in competitive shooting at both the state and national level. He loves good food, movies and playing poker.
Senior Academy Coaching Staff
SHAYLEE WILSON - SLC Regional Girls Director of Coaching
As the Women’s Regional Director of Coaching in Salt Lake, Shaylee is excited to create opportunities and pathways for female athletes of all ages to reach their goals. Shaylee holds a USSF C License and has been coaching and training kids of all ages for the past 12 years.
Shaylee was part of the DSU 2000 NJCAA National Championship team and received the NJCAA “Defensive Player of the Year” and All-American Awards for two consecutive years. As a team captain, Shaylee completed her soccer career playing at Utah State University where she earned her B.S. in Health & Wellness and received USU’s first NSCAA Regional Scholar Athlete Award.
AHMED BAKRIM - SLC REGIONAL Boys Director of Coaching
A former professional player, Ahmed played in Morocco for seven years. He’s been coaching for 15 years in the United States and holds a USSF B license.
His extensive knowledge and experience in all technical and tactical aspects of soccer make him an invaluable asset. Ahmed is well known for his creative coaching style and his ability to connect with players quickly. He is a winning coach having taken teams to State Finals and won.
Dave Rogers - Southern Utah Regional Director of Coaching
As a player, Dave has competed in the highest levels of the game, including scoring a goal as a defender in a UEFA Champions League match. He has years of player and coaching experience from around the world of soccer. Dave enjoys making positive personal relationships with his players, coaches, and staff and thrives on assisting each person he meets become their best self, on and off the pitch. He holds a UEFA A License and is a UEFA Pro License Candidate.
JEAN CLAUDE GAY - WEBER/DAVIS REGIONAL Director of Coaching
Jean Claude has over 18 years of coaching experience in France and the United States, including coaching for Pau FC, Bayonne, and Mont De Marsan.
Before his coaching career, he spent 15 years playing professionally and semi-professionally with Chaumount FC, AS Beziers, and Stade Montois Football. Jean Claude holds a UEFA A License and is passionate about helping players of all ages learn how to succeed.
DEVIN ZIMMERMAN - Regional Director of Coaching - GOALKEEPING
Devin is currently the Director of Coaching - Goalkeeping for 7 Elite Academy as well as S.C Assistant and GK coach for the PDL team Ogden City. Soccer is his passion and he feels fortunate to have a professional career spanning multiple roles as a Player, Coach, Trainer, and Director of Coaching. He holds a USSF National C License and a USC Goalkeeper Diploma. Devin has coached with Utah Steam, FC United, Weber State University, Outlaws FC, and at Southern Virginia University. He has also spent 5 years on the Utah ODP coaching staff.
JONNY BROADHEAD - COLLEGE PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
Jonny is the current Head Coach for Dixie State University Men’s Team and was formerly assistant coach at Utah Valley University. Coaching at the college level is his passion; he has coached in the Olympic Development Program since 2013. His previous roles include Director of Coaching with other Utah clubs. Jonny holds a USSF C License and loves helping young athletes grow in the game.