Royals Academy hires Tiffany Roberts as Girls’ DA Director

(Via Royals Academy) – Real Salt Lake Arizona and the Royals Academy has announced the hiring of Tiffany Roberts as the Academy Director for their U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy program.

Tiffany joins the Royals Academy from Cincinnati Development Academy where she serves as the Academy Director for their girls program. Roberts, holds an A license, has been called in as an assistant coach with the girls US Youth National team with the under 15s, and is also participating in the inaugural Academy Director’s course with US Soccer, the most prestigious coaching course available.

“We are beyond thrilled by the addition of Tiffany Roberts to our Academy Staff as Academy Director. Tiffany’s addition will allow Lisa Ljubicic to move into the role of Academy Managing Director and solidify the strongest coaching staff possible. We are very fortunate to be a part of Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals and we are committed to being among the elite programs in the country. The US Soccer Girls Development Academy is a tremendous step forward for the development and progression of our players and with our connection to the Utah Royals gives our girls the opportunity to aim for the highest levels of soccer. We feel like it is very important for the young women who play in our program have the chance to be educated by the very best staff, and in Tiffany and Lisa we have two very smart, talented and strong women who can be teachers and fantastic role models for the young women in our Academy” said Brent Erwin Executive and Technical Director of RSL-AZ and the Royals Academy.

Coach Roberts was born in Colorado but raised in Phoenix attending Arcadia High school and playing for Sereno Soccer Club, the Arizona ODP program and the Region IV team. She attended Santa Clara University where she advanced to the Final Four her Sophomore year and was team captain for the prestigious program her senior year. She also holds a Masters Degree from Xavier University.

“I would first like to thank Brent Erwin for giving me the opportunity to lead this part of the club. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to come back to Arizona to lead the Development Academy within the Real Salt Lake- Arizona and Royals organizations. Having been involved in the DA in its first year; as the Academy Director for Cincinnati Development Academy, I am familiar with the platform and ready to jump into the Phoenix market. The Development Academy will provide players an opportunity to continue to grow within a platform that is centered completely on player development. I am looking forward to working with the current staff as we continue to grow and build the program to be a leader within the Development Academy while also having a strong connection to the NWSL Utah Royals.” Said Tiffany, Girls Development Academy Director.

Coach Roberts will complete the coaching staff for the Royals Academy, becoming Head Coach for the u14 (2005/2006) and u15 (2004) teams. The staff for the 2018-19 Season will be as follows:

• Academy Director- Tiffany Roberts
• Managing Director- Lisa Ljubicic
• 2005/2006 (U14)- Tiffany Roberts
• 2004 (U15)- Tiffany Roberts
• 2003/2002 (U17)- Lisa Ljubicic
• 2001/2000 (U19)- Lisa Ljubicic
• Assistant Staff- Doug Shank, Harold Warren, and Boris Teoharevic
• Goalkeeper Coach- Danielle Dion

**More assistant and staff coaches will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This is a great staff of coaches and we are all working hard to represent Phoenix, Arizona, the Desert Southwest and the Utah Royals in the most professional way. Thank you to Cincinnati Development Academy for being willing to let Tiffany come to Phoenix. The Cincinnati DA is a very professional club and it is an honor to be in the US Soccer Development Academy with them. On behalf of all of the kids and families of RSL-AZ and the Royals Academy welcome home Tiffany!”