Total Football Hudson Valley
Providing academy-level soccer training and competition within our community.
Program
TFHV teams play in the EDP (Elite Development Program) North Atlantic League.
TFHV was founded to offer the highest standard of coaching and competition to players in our community. Whether your child is already playing at the academy level and you are seeking a local option, or if your child is simply looking to take their game to the next level, TFHV could be for you.
TFHV competition season runs from August-December and March-June.
- Training sessions will be available four evenings per week during competition season in either Fishkill or Beacon.
- Games will take place on Saturdays during the competition season. Home games will take place at Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown, NY. The majority of away games will take place within a 1 hour drive of Beacon, NY.
During the off-season, TFHV will offer weekly summer training and indoor winter training sessions.
TFHV supports multi-sport athletes. Research shows the many benefits of playing multiple sports at a young age, and we are happy to work with players to determine the best training schedule for each individual.
Camps & Clinics
TFHV Girls Soccer Clinics
Total Football Hudson Valley (TFHV) is proud to announce the introduction of our new Girls Soccer Clinics.
These are cost-free opportunities for players to train under the direction of our USSF licensed coaches.
Our Total Football philosophy begins with the PLAY-TO-LEARN phase for our youngest players.
Our clinics are designed for players of all skill levels and are aimed at beginning player development in a fun environment.
A perfect opportunity to start your soccer player’s journey the right way.
For: Girls (all skill levels)
Born: 2015 – 2018
Dates: Every Thursday: Starting June 27, 2024
Time: 5:45pm – 7:30pm
Sarah Taylor Park
7 Old Main St
Fishkill, New York 12524
Mission and Values
At Total Football Hudson Valley, we emphasize the holistic development of our players, understanding that children need support beyond just technical and tactical work to find success and joy in soccer. We believe that community is where the individual thrives, and aim to build teams that stay together for many seasons, fostering friendships and bonds between players – as well as a passion for the beautiful game through competitive and high-level play.
TFHV seeks to provide an alternative to many academies’ ‘sink or swim’ methodology by offering the highest standard of focused, individualized instruction to each player. Our goal is to build skills, confidence and character on and off the field in order to prepare young people for their best possible futures.
The Story of Total Football Hudson Valley
TFHV was established in Beacon, NY in 2023 by Glen Wrafter, Derek Limbert and John Riordan, to address the need for local academy-level soccer training and competition.
While coaching their own kids in recreational and travel soccer in Beacon, Derek and Glen realized the crucial need for more advanced training programs in the surrounding communities, including the Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers and Newburgh areas. It became apparent that the most talented and dedicated local soccer players were leaving the area to play on academy teams. In addition to recognizing this as a logistical impossibility for most working parents unable to drive their kids 45+ minutes to practice, it was disappointing for two individuals with such strong Hudson Valley pride to see the best players heading elsewhere.
In the six years that Glen and Derek coached soccer in Beacon, they have dedicated countless hours to supporting the technical development of their players and creating team cultures rooted in integrity and commitment to the game. They believe that coaches play an essential role in a young player’s development, both on and off the field, and do not take this responsibility lightly.
In founding TFHV, Glen brought in fellow former NY Shamrocks board member John Riordan. John, a committed advocate for youth community soccer through his role at the nonprofit America SCORES, shares their passion for sports education and has valuable experience in building and growing a soccer club.
And so, Total Football Hudson Valley was created.
TFHV Staff
Glen Wrafter (Beacon, NY)
Director of Coaching
As a young boy playing soccer in Dublin, Glen was schooled in what was deemed the most essential aspect of the game: teamwork and team loyalty. He has the deepest understanding of youth soccer, having played at the top tier ‘Schoolboy A’ in his native Dublin from U13-U17, representing Bushy Park Rangers and Leicester Celtic (former Chelsea FC player Damian Duff’s childhood club). Glen went on to play college soccer in Ireland, representing National University College, Galway and won a Connacht Senior Cup medal during the 1997-1998 season. After moving to the US from Ireland, Glen served as Head Coach at NY Shamrocks Soccer Club in Queens NY (Cosmopolitan Soccer League) from 2010 to 2015 and steered the club to promotion to Division 1 during the 2014/15 season. In 2023, Glen left a long career in finance to commit to his love of soccer full-time. As Director of Coaching at TFHV, and a USSF D License holder, he develops soccer programs that help kids build and improve their skills and increase their love and passion for the game.
John Riordan (New York, NY)
Director of Operations
John played schoolboy soccer at Avondale United and Tramore Athletic in Ireland, representing the latter in the Munster Senior League. Since his move to New York, he has been steeped in the game as a player, coach, administrator, board member and community organizer. Currently club secretary at the NY Shamrocks, where he and Glen met and worked together as coaches and board members, he has held almost every role at the club, overseeing its survival and rapid growth during and after the pandemic which paved the way for the club’s first ever CSL Division 1 victory in 2021. He also serves on the board of the New York Metropolitan Women’s Soccer League. John is the Director of Development at the youth soccer nonprofit America SCORES and he writes a weekly sports column for the Irish Examiner newspaper.
Derek Limbert (Beacon, NY)
Academy Director
Derek grew up as a multi-sport athlete who ultimately chose soccer as his priority. A Hudson Valley native, from nearby Goshen, he grew up playing Goshen Travel (Orange County) as well as Hudson Valley Select. While not a huge fan of actually watching professional soccer – his preference is ice hockey and his beloved New York Rangers – he loves to play and, in addition to his more official coaching responsibilities, can often be found organizing informal pickup games for neighborhood kids in Beacon. At his day job, Derek is an IT specialist at the American Museum of Natural History, where he has worked since 2012.
Mary Callaghan (Beacon, NY)
Coach
Mary grew up in a sport loving family, but didn’t start playing soccer competitively until high school. While in college, Mary began coaching as an assistant and has been coaching ever since! She coaches the varsity girls team at Haldane HS as well as a U16 team with the Philipstown Soccer Club. She has organized soccer programs for preschoolers and clinics for younger players. When not on the sidelines, Mary enjoys playing at local pick-up games and in the East Hudson Women’s Soccer League.
Mary’s coaching philosophy focuses on the development of the player’s skills, game IQ, and confidence, as well as the importance of teamwork and community. She believes in supporting youth in sports by creating a space for growth while having fun.
Carter Pederson (Beacon, NY)
Coach
Carter is a recent college graduate from SUNY Oswego and who has lived in Beacon for his entire life.
Carter has been in love with soccer ever since he touched a ball for the first time at the age of 4. He is ecstatic that he has the chance to instill some of his knowledge into the next generation of Beacon soccer.
Carter has been through all of the stages of Beacon soccer, from rec to travel to varsity soccer for the high school team.
Carter is on the board of a local flag football league and is excited to continue to extend his influence on the improvement of sports in Beacon.
Testimonials
“Derek and Glen have coached my son in travel soccer for the last two seasons. They are knowledgeable coaches who have really worked on developing both individual and team skills. Our team has benefited tremendously from having two coaches who have gotten to know each child and worked with them at their level. Both Derek and Glen have fostered a team that values teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill building. It is a pleasure to watch them teach our kids, and to watch those kids grow and improve in their soccer skills. They also clearly love soccer, and have succeeded in sharing their passion for the sport with their team.”
Milena M.
“My son Lucas has been coached by Glen and Derek for the past several years. He has grown as a player in both skill level and confidence.
Glen and Derek consistently provide positive encouragement while fostering a love of the game and maintaining a positive team camaraderie. Their knowledge and love of the game produce success on and off the field.”
Melissa H.
“Our son has been playing soccer with Coach Glen for the past 4 years. It’s hard to put into words just how impressed we have been with the progress he has made as a soccer player during that time. But what we appreciate even more is how the skills Coach Glen has taught our son on the field have influenced the young man he is becoming off the field. The focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, decision making, paying attention to details, and work ethic have not only made our son a better soccer player, but have also helped him to develop the skills and character needed to be successful in life off the field as well!”
Pat S.
As parents, we often make important decisions about who we want helping to guide our children through their most formative years. I feel so lucky that Glen and Derek are in my son’s life, and I have complete trust and deep admiration for them. They are the most rare and special of coaches—patient, encouraging, experienced. My son wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. And I couldn’t be more excited that Glen and Derek are launching this new enterprise, which is sure to be a success for all involved.
Dan S.