Kelly Jenkins- 41 Years Old. Coach, leader, mother, friend, teammate, occupational therapist. Throughout life I have been a participant in multiple sports, and a coach in soccer at all levels. I have been blessed with quality coaches in my athletic journey both men and women, and been given outstanding examples of leadership, sportsmanship, courage, perseverance, tenacity, grit and so much more! As a coach, many times, I am the lone woman on the field besides the players. I am striving with this site to bring awareness of the experiences, obstacles, and reality of the difficulty for women coaching in athletics, as well as to start build community in empowering the current and future female coaches of all athletic arenas!
I was a tomboy for sure! I started playing soccer and baseball at 8 years old on boys teams until girls programming became more developed through the 90s. I continued as a tri-athlete competing through high school in varsity soccer: center midfield, softball: shortstop, and basketball: guard. One achievement I will mention- Division 1 State semi-finalist Elyria High Softball year 2000.
Collegiate Soccer Athlete – 2001- 2004- Aurora University and Ursuline College Position: Starting Outside Midfield Left and Right
Coaching Experience:
2005-2007- Soccer Tots Instructor, Hollywood Florida
2006-2007- Assistant High School Soccer Coach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2018-2022- Volunteer OHTSL Elyria Travel Coach U8-U13 Girls Program, Elyria, OH
2019-2020- Elyria Catholic High School Girls Assistant Varsity Coach, Elyria, OH
2020-2022- Elyria Travel Board of Directors Member as Director of Coaching, Elyria, OH
2021-2023- Cleveland Force Soccer Club Head Coach/ Lead Trainer girls and boys program Juniors and U8-U10, Rocky River, OH
2023-Present- Cleveland Force Soccer Club Program Manager U8-U10 girls program, Lead Trainer, Head Coach, Rocky River, OH
2024- Head Coach 2024- U9 2015 Cleveland Force Soccer Club Ohio State Cup Supergroup Champions, Rocky River, OH
2024- Obtained US Soccer Club D License
