NCFC Youth Welcomes Stephen Palmer and Nick Holt to Full-Time Staff

NCFC Youth is excited to announce the addition of Stephen Palmer to our Goalkeeping Department as an Assistant Director and Nick Holt to our Classic Program as the U13-U19 South Girls Director. Palmer and Holt bring a combined 24+ years of experience at the youth and professional level.

Stephen Palmer, Assistant Goalkeeping Director

Palmer, originally from Birmingham, England, began his career at Kidderminster Harriers FC as an Academy Goalkeeper Coach in 2008, followed by his role as the First Team Goalkeeping Coach and Academy Goalkeeping Coach at the Stratford Town Football Club.  After moving to the United States, Palmer served as a Regional Coordinator for the New York Red Bulls before assuming additional roles including, U23 Goalkeeping Coach, Assistant First Team Goalkeeping Coach, Pre-Academy and Academy Goalkeeping Coach. He brings a wealth of experience in both player and goalkeeper youth to pro Development. Palmer currently holds his USC Level 3 Goalkeeping Diploma, FA Goalkeeping Level 2, UEFA C License and is currently pursuing his UEFA B License

Palmer will work alongside Director of Goalkeeping, Wezly Barnard and Assistant Director, Giovanni Solis to support the club’s continued development of goalkeepers. His primary focus will be with our Academy while also overseeing the progression and development of our Classic goalkeepers.

Nick Holt, U13-U19 South Girls Director

Holt has been with NCFC Youth (ECNL Elite/Premier Girls) since 2021, and we are excited for his transition to a full-time role as the U13-U19 South Girls Director. He began his career in Alabama as the Director of Soccer Operations and the Varsity Boys and Girls Head Coach at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa. Following his time at ACA, he became the Director of Facilities and Operations as well as a Girls Staff Coach at Hoover Soccer Club. Holt then made his way back into the school setting as the Director of Operations and Head Varsity Coach at Hewitt Trussville High School while also coaching ECNL Composite Girls for Birmingham United/Alabama FC under Ben Parks and Andrew Brower. Before coming to NCFC Youth, Holt served as the General Manager of Operations (West), Social Media Coordinator, and ECNL Regional League Girls Staff Coach at North Carolina Fusion. In addition to his responsibilities as the U13-U19 South Girls Director, Holt will continue coaching in our Girls ECNL Elite/Premier program and with the NC Courage U23s. Holt holds his USSF C License.

With the addition of Nick Holt, Pete Sadin will now serve as the U13-U19 North Girls Director and the Girls ECRL Director. Both Palmer and Holt have begun their new roles and are actively making an impact as we kick off the season.