BA (Hons.) Economics
M.Ed Physical Education

Former Head Coach
Central Washington University, 
Portland C.C.,
Oregon State University,
Tualatin Hills United SC, 
Lane County AFC.

State Director NSCAA,
Oregon State

rowney2.jpg (15420 bytes)

Director,
F.C. Willamette Academy

NSCAA Advanced National
Coaching Diploma

USSF "A" and English
FA Coaching Licenses

NSCAA National
Convention Clinician

Former Assistant Coach
University of Portland, 
F.C. Seattle Storm
 

Goal-Line's Director and Head Coach, Tom Rowney hails from the North-East of England. As a schoolboy, Tom played for Wolsingham Grammar School, was a Bishop Auckland District Select Team player from the age of 14 until he left school at 18, and a schoolboy player for Middlesbrough F.C. (currently in the English Premier League.) Before going on to the University of Essex, he was a junior player with the semiprofessional Crook Town team in the English Northern League. Tom played for the University of Essex 1st XI for 3 years where he was awarded his "colors" for services to university soccer, before graduating with a B.A. (Hons.) Degree in Economics. 

Graduating in 1978 Tom worked in industry while continuing to play top class soccer. A series of injuries forced him to relinquish hopes of a playing career and he turned his talents to coaching. After coaching at his alma mater and at Wearhead Utd for 2 years he received his English FA Coaching Certificate in 1982. In the same year, Tom decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Physical Education at Central Washington University in the U.S., where he coached the men's team for 2 seasons.

After graduating in 1985 Tom spent the next 5 years at the University of Oregon working towards a Ph.D. in Psychology and Biomechanics.  In the United States, Tom has held a number of coaching positions at the youth, high school, college, and professional levels.   He was most recently the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Oregon State University and is currently Director of the F.C. Willamette Academy club program that caters to advanced level premier players.

In 1990 Tom was Assistant Coach at the Seattle Storm in the American Professional Soccer League. In the same year, he lead Portland Community College to the quarter-finals of the NWAACC playoffs, in their first year of operation. In 1991 Tom was an Assistant Coach at the University of Portland with special emphasis on coaching finishing and play in the attacking third, helping the Pilots reach the second round of the NCAA Div. 1 playoffs. 

As a high school coach, Tom led the South Eugene Axemen to a 50-9-10 record over four seasons, coaching the team to one state semifinal, two quarter-final appearances, and two 5AAA District Championships. 

As coach at Oregon State, Tom dramatically changed the fortunes of a struggling program in just three seasons. In 1994, the Beavers reached their first national ranking (ending the season at 15th in the nation) and a place in the NCAA playoffs. In the 1995 season the team reached as high as 8th in the nation!  Since 1995 Tom has also coached youth girls' teams with F.C. Willamette (formerly Willamette Valley AFC Academy).  In the short time since the teams were formed the club has won 3 State Championships,   numerous tournaments,  and have reached the 1/4 finals of Regionals on 3 occassions.  His Pride team is regarded as one of the best teams in their age group in the region.

Tom holds the highest coaching licenses available in the United States.   In his spare time he writes for the Soccer Journal, the Official publication of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.   He has recently completed his first coaching manual published by Dynamic Sports Presentations ™ .   He lives in Corvallis,  Oregon with wife Kate, and son Trevor.

 

Copyright © 1997:  Last modified: February 08, 2002