New Assistant Technical Director

Own Touch Central is very excited  to announce the appointment of André Graham as the new Own Touch Assistant Technical Director and Director of the Advanced program.

André will be assisting Bob Jenkins/ Own Touch Technical Director and will be responsible for research, development, implementation, and management of training curriculum for Own Touch in efforts to continually improve and enhance training programs.

The Advanced Mentee Program creates a unique and personalized training environment designed for motivated players who have demonstrated a high level of commitment and passion for the game.  André will be helping to provide a technically advanced curriculum to our mentees that will accelerate player growth and development.

André is a Richmond Native who played club soccer for Kickers academy/ FC Richmond and went on to enjoy a 4 year collegiate career at Hampden-Sydney college. After college, he stayed heavily involved in the game in multiple facets including playing NPSL as well as coaching for Chesterfield United under Joe Farrell. For the past 8 years he has quickly expanded his coaching resume which includes an Assistant Director position with the Chesterfield Strikers as well the Director of Coaching position for FutsalRVA.

Greg Simmonds says ‘André’s passion and belief in individual development personifies the “Own Touch Way”! André isn’t just an amazing coach/mentor but a great person overall. Having André assume this role for Own Touch Central will be tremendously beneficial to elite players in RVA’.

“It was a no brainer to bring Andre on board to head the Advanced program at Own Touch Central. He is a tireless worker with a love and passion for the game as well the development of the kids. Knowing Andre for a number of years has been fantastic and I know he will bring exciting new ideas to further develop the program, the coaches and the kids” said Own Touch General Manager Joe Farrell

“I’m excited for this opportunity to work with a highly motivated group of players who have excelled in the Richmond area,” says Graham, “It is a honor to join the leadership at Own Touch Central and help expand on the education and development,” new Technical Director Andre Graham says. “The environment that Own Touch provides is unique and a great supplement for player enrichment. I am thankful to be a part of its continued methodology.”