BYSA Coaches
Craig Higginbotham
Head of Youth Development
Director of Coaching
Born and raised in Telford, Shropshire, England Craig came to America as a Summer Camp Coach with Challenger Sports in 2010. In 2012 he accepted a year round coach position with BYSA and in 2016 became the Director of Coaching. As a coach, Craig’s passion is developing young players to their full potential. He enjoys supporting all young players as they progress through the world of soccer.
While coaching for BYSA Craig earned his USC Premier Diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma and Advanced Technical Diploma in addition to his previously earned USSF and English coaching certificates.
As the Director of Coaching, Craig is responsible for the oversight and management of the competitive travel program within BYSA. As Head of Youth Development, he is responsible for running House League and making sure the 950+ players have a fun, positive experience. Craig works closely with the other dedicated BYSA coaches to ensure the club curriculum is a fun and engaging experience, helping players 3-18 yo reach their soccer potential. Craig strongly believes in hard work and punctuality. He feels there is nothing you can’t achieve if you are on time and work as hard as you can.
Alex Green
Originally from Scotland, Alex moved to Rhode Island permanently in 2006 having previously spent a number of years coaching across the US as well as in his hometown of Glasgow. His time with BYSA coincided with a move to RI and he has enjoyed every year with the club since.
Over the course of his career, Alex has coached all age groups & genders, with his main focus since 2016 as heading up the U16-U20 boys teams, that play every spring season in RI for league play, MA/NH for the Memorial Day tournament weekend and also in Europe (Spain/UK) each summer.
Adrienne Bender
Adrienne’s previous coaching experience includes volunteer assistant coach for Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, assistant coach for Rams FC U16 Girls and a head coach for BEST FC in Northboro, MA. She hold a US Soccer Grassroots and E Coaching License. Adrienne has been with BYSA since 2018 with Team Thorns - and in that time we’ve won the Portsmouth Father’s Day Tournament, U14 Spring SuperLiga Champions in 2021, and most recently the U15 Girls Champions at the Glastonbury Hartwell Spring Tournament in April 2022.
Scott Francis
Scott has coached with BYSA since 2018 and coached in the USA since 2013. Originally from Staffordshire in England, Scott coached soccer in England before traveling to coach soccer in the US in 2013. He became a coach with BYSA in 2018 and has coached all age groups, from the age of 3 up to the age of 18. Scott has earned his FA, USSF & Canadian coaching qualifications. Currently he coaches the U10 Girls, U13 Boys & U14 girls.
Jon Franklin
Jon has been coaching youth soccer since 2012. His first experience was coaching for his high school alma mater, Saint Raphael Academy. Jon feels this was a defining moment to becoming a long term soccer coach, experiencing how he can continue to impact the game off the field.
Prior to becoming a coach for BYSA in 2013, he assisted Challenger Sports with various camps, clinics and other coaching programs. Jon currently hold a D License with US Soccer and is always looking to expand his knowledge of the game. Outside of coaching, Jon works full time as a Personal Trainer and enjoys doing anything active from soccer, tennis, biking, kayaking, snowboarding, and walking his dog.
Johan Ordonez
Johan began coaching in Barrington in 2019 through Challenger Sports as a mini-kicker and house league coach. In 2020 Johan became a BYSA travel coach. In addition to his travel teams, Johan is a coach for our winter futsal and winter academy programs.
Greg Piper
Greg has been a coach with BYSA since 2010 and proudly exclaims that he has enjoyed every moment. Greg is grateful to his wonderful wife Ann and incredible daughters Julia and Erin, who’s support has allowed him to continue doing something he loves.
Greg truly loves the sport of soccer. ‘I firmly believe soccer transcends life, either at school, work or at play. The values I try to teach players are having fun, fair play, respect your opponents, refs, and spectators. It is about integrity and consistency during good and bad times. It is about empathy, making every player feel like they’re a part of something special, everyone has a role to play, and everyone has something special to bring “to the table”.’
In addition to a number of USSF qualifications, Greg holds a USSF D license, a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, a Goalkeeper Diploma and Futsal Diploma.