In addition to being SLFC's director of coaching, Roberto Maturana is also the director for Soccer4College at the University of Utah. Soccer4College is a comprehensive, culturally appropriate program educating young people about higher education opportunities through a mentoring program which increases the chances of success for young immigrants and refugees between the ages of 12 to 18 and their families.

A native of Peru, Maturana's revolutionary program is based on the academic theories of Albert Bandura and has been implemented with schoolchildren from low-income families in Salt Lake City, Park City, Heber, West Valley City, Wendover and Midvale City. The objective of this program is to inspire young people to lead healthy lifestyles and be engaged students so that they can become change agents in their communities.

Maturana is also an active member of the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) since 2007, participating and advising various college soccer teams around the state of Utah, and is also director for BU18 SLFC Africa United. In 2009, he received special recognition from Major League Soccer for his work with the club.

Brian Shaw - Asst. Director of Coaching

 

Coaching Licenses:

USSF National Youth (Pending)  

USSF National D

Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal (2006-10)

 

Coaching Experience:

West United (1988-89, 2006-07)

Utah Blitzz FC (2003-2006)

Cyprus High School (2005-07, Asst. Coach/JV Head Coach)

Sparta United (2006-2009) 

Salt Lake FC (2006-Present)

 

Brian grew up in Magna and has played the game since age 6. As a youth, he traveled all over the West, playing on club teams. After high school and college soccer and after he had a severe knee injury, he entered coaching, first as an assistant for his dad’s club team, then on his own. Many of Brian's players went on to play in high school and in college.  Brian’s love for the sport stems from his family’s involvement from an early age; his father was a licensed referee, coach and league administrator.

After seeing how difficult it was for at-risk youth to play soccer at the highest levels, Brian used his connections as a sportswriter to begin the ROOTS For Soccer Foundation in his community in 2006. He received support from grassroots organizations, local parks and rec offices and even Real Salt Lake in its early days, to bring club soccer to those who couldn’t otherwise afford to play, through sponsorships and donations in-kind.

He used the old Paul Workman Park on 2100 South and 900 West as a soccer oasis for over 60 children; several teams played there before it was unfortunately torn down to make way for a train station. Despite the setback, and along with Roberto’s gracious help, Brian continues to push on to give these needy youth a place to play.