meet the coaches
For age group questions, contact the coaches below directly using the numbers provided.
Director of Coaching
Alex Walsh
B2013 Pink & B2014 Pink
To try out, contact alex directly at (916) 627-0012
Alex was born in Northwest England before moving to Northern California at 10 years old. Prior to moving stateside, he represented both Everton and Manchester United at the youth academy level.
Once landing in California, he played club soccer for Placer United on the ‘97 team that would graduate as national champions and the #1 ranked team in the United States. Earning an athletic scholarship to play at the NCAA DII level with Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. He received his bachelor degree in Communications & Digital Media.
A true student of the game, Alex embarked on his coaching journey and started collecting his coaching badges at the age of 20, and now possesses his USSF National C License. After stints at both the club and high school level in Northern California, Alex moved to Southern California to further pursue his career in soccer. Within two years his teams had won a State Cup and two league titles. He was nominated as the Surf Select Southwest Regional Coach in 2022.
Alex's teams are known to play a brand of entertaining soccer, an identity driven by technically gifted players that become smart soccer players over the course of time. In less than a decade, he has already had a hand in developing club, high school, collegiate and professional soccer players.
As well as serving as the Director of Coaching and a Head Coach for One Ivy FC, Alex is an Assistant Coach for the NCAA DIII Men's Soccer program at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. In his first two year with the program, the Stags have made the playoffs both years, and won their first SCIAC tournament title in 5 years. They made their first Sweet Sixteen appearance in over a 20 years in 2024.
Alex is committed to providing players with a pathway to higher levels, while letting players enjoy the game that has given him so much in life.
Coach Aaron
B2015 Pink & B2013 Grey
To try out, contact Aaron directly at (818) 254-5814
Aaron was born and raised in Manchester, England. His soccer journey began at a young age when he signed and played for Manchester City’s academy from the age of 9 through 16 - recognized world wide as one of the best youth academies and clubs in the world. He transferred to Wolverhampton Wanders at the age of 16 and signed a 2 year scholarship, where he was made captain and obtained his UEFA C coaching badge.
Aaron decided to continue my established soccer career on the other side of the Atlantic shortly after. He left England and committed to play NCAA Division I soccer at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. At the collegiate level, Aaron helped his team win a regular season championship and tournament championship; while holding the longest winning streak in NCAA Division I soccer.
He was recognized and awarded the All-Tournament team and made a start/appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2023. After college, he played for East Atlanta Dutch Lions in the summers of 2021, 2022, and 2023; where he also coached kids from all ages and fell in love with coaching. Aaron joined One Ivy FC in January 2024, and has already made an incredible impact.
Coach Laurent
B2015 Grey & B2014 Grey
To try out, contact Laurent directly at (213) 374-4596
Laurent was born in Montpellier, France. He was selected at age 11 to play at the National Institute of Football (INF Vichy) by Erick Monbaerts, who coached the French National U18, U21 teams as well as Ligue1 side Paris Saint Germain.
His parents decided otherwise. Laurent still continued to play club soccer until the age of 16 where he last trained with the CAVIGAL (Nice U16 National level). He moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and played competitive soccer all over the city in multiple leagues including the semi-pro league Golden West.
He is the parent of an 18 year old daughter, and he has been coaching soccer for the past 5 years across Los Angeles. Laurent joined One Ivy in 2023, and coaches both the B2014 and B2015 Grey teams. His knowledge of the game, his experience at the highest youth level and his pedagogy give him great confidence in his approach of teaching the beautiful game.
Coach Jake
B2012 Pink & B2017 Pink
To try out, contact Jake directly at (310) 801-4029
Jake is a Los Angeles native reigning from Santa Monica, California. He was immersed in soccer from a young age, playing for local competitive club teams. His playing career reached a pinnacle in 2008 when he proudly represented Santa Monica High School, contributing to the team's remarkable season that culminated in a national ranking of #2.
Transitioning to a higher education at CSU Dominguez Hills, Jake took a brief hiatus from play due to injuries and immediately began to focus on a career in coaching. At the young age of 20, Jake dove head first into coaching youth soccer in his local community. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to nurturing talent and developing technically gifted players and tactically-intelligent young teams at both the club and high school level.
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Jake joined One Ivy FC in early 2024.
Coach Lucas
Head Goalkeeper Coach
& B2018 Pink
To try out, contact Lucas directly at (617) 821-6446
Lucas DeOliveira is a 27 year old, born in Boston, Massachusetts to two Brazilian parents. Lucas’s earliest memories are of beach soccer in Brazil, and street games that allowed him to develop his touch and feel for the game. Lucas played his whole life on various teams in his area, and was a multi-sport athlete throughout his youth. He credits this time with setting the foundation to his understanding of sports and movement in competition. Lucas then went on to play at the NCAA DIII level at Mass Maritime Academy.
Post-college, Lucas played on a semi-professional soccer team in Florida. Playing at first for the Palm Beach Breakers in the UPSL South Florida Division, then on Osheas FC at the UPSL and NSL levels.
Lucas has always had a passion for working with kids, and teaching new concepts, having the gift of both patience, and empathy that allows him to really connect with the children. Lucas joined One Ivy FC in early 2024 as the Lead Goalkeeper Coach, as well as the Head Coach for the B2018 Pink team.
Coach Oliver
B2016 Pink
To try out, contact Oliver directly at (404) 660-9372
Oliver Cherry is originally from Atlanta, GA. While playing the game from a young age, Oliver began his working career in youth football as a referee at the age of 14. Using his insights as both a player and a referee, Oliver started his coaching career. He took a massive leap forward to become the Technical Director at FirstWorks Soccer Academy - a non-profit based in Atlanta. It wasn't long before he became Executive Director of the same club. While also coaching at the academy, Oliver went on to mentor dozens of young players in the program to become youth football referees as well.
Oliver also created SkyPitch Football Club, a vehicle for service to underserved youth on Atlanta's Westside. Our mission is to transform underserved communities through a community based model for sport. In partnership with the FirstWorks Soccer Academy, SkyPitch helped to establish the first competitive travel soccer team on Atlanta's Westside.
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His playing career spans several decades and includes a championship in high school & a brief stint in college.
Coach Claudia
G2015 Pink & G2016 Pink
To try out, contact Claudia directly at (323) 395-9287
Coach Claudia’s soccer journey began at 13 and took her to Glendale Community College, where she played for two years, earning Player of the Year honors and being named an All-American. She continued her career with two years of semi-pro soccer for LA Villa before an injury led her to step away from the game. After some time away, Claudia rediscovered her passion through coaching where she saw a need for dedicated coaches and found joy in connecting with young players.
Over the past six years, she has coached for AYSO and the Marymount High School JV soccer team, blending her competitive experience with a love for teaching. Claudia is committed to helping players develop their skills, confidence, and passion for the sport in a positive and supportive environment.
Coach Thaabit
B2012 Grey
To try out, contact Thaabit directly at (323) 312-8862
Thaabit Baartman grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. As a young kid he started off at a team called Phantom Orion. At 10 years old he moved on to Old Mutual Football, who at the time was one of the best academies in the country. The following year he moved to a team called First National Rangers St.Agnes where he spent 7 years. During the last two years, Thaabit competed in the fourth division in South Africa. By his second year at the club, he was able to play and start majority of our games and win the league, and then went on to win promotion playoffs against teams from all over the country.
Thaabit moved to the U.S. in 2018 at 18 years old, where he started his collegiate career and went on to play for Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. In both 2018 and 2019, he made the NJCAA 2018 and 2019 National Championship Division I All-Tournament team, and NJCAA Division I First Team all American.
Following two incredibly successful seasons in Texas, Thaabit transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2020 - one of the best collegiate soccer programs in the country. There, he made the 2021 Men’s Soccer All Big West Team, 2021 Big West Tournament Champion, and 2022 All Big West Preseason Team. During the offseason he played in the USL2 for Ventura County Fusion.
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Throughout his collegiate career, Thaabit coached and lead multiple camps at UCSB and Tyler Junior College. He has also run private trainings with dozens of athletes in both Santa Barbara and Texas.​​​
Coach Zak
B2016 Grey
To try out, contact Zak directly at (870) 818-6065
Zak Kiser grew up in Brazil and brought his passion for soccer to the United States at the age of 11. Through high school, he captained Kernow Storm FC, showcasing his leadership and dedication to the game.
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He started his collegiate soccer journey at Paris Junior College in Texas, where he played for one year before earning a scholarship to play at the NCAA DII level with The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music Composition. During college, Zak also competed in the PDL (now USL2) with the Houston Dutch Lions.
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After college, Zak played in the MASL, professional Teqball, and has now founded Mesaball, a company focused on innovative soccer experiences. He continues to thrive in multiple forms of soccer, and currently competes in beach soccer, panna, street soccer, Teqball, futvôlei, and Mesaball.
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As a coach, Zak is passionate about encouraging creativity and fearless play, inspiring his players to love the game and express themselves on the field.
Above all, he is a proud father to two beautiful daughters who inspire him every day.
