Staff
JIM SPENCE - Founder & Executive Director
• Founder and Executive Director of Sports Quest
• Full-time Professional Soccer Trainer
• STYSA State Instructor
• South Texas ODP '89 & 92 Girls Coach
• Former St. Agnes Academy Girls Varsity Head Coach for 4 years
• Soccer Development Officer, England
• School of Excellence Soccer Trainer, England
• United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" License
• National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier License
• National Youth Coaching License
• English Football Association (FA) Coaching License
• National Goalkeeping Level 1 and level 2 Diplomas
• BA Honors Degree in Sports and Recreation
• Former Player in Houston Premier League
• Former Select Team Trainer Texas United F.C., Westside SC, Bear Creek United, Klein Quest, Pursuit Girls Club, Classics Boys Club
• Technique Training Program / Under 10 Development Program, Texas Untied F.C., Westside SC, Bear Creek Utd
• First Aid, CPR and AED Certification
JOSH GARDNER - Part Time Trainer (Homeschool)
A former Sports Quest summer camp staff member and Houston native, Josh returns to Houston from Sporting KC, where he finished his MLS playing career and served as a coach in their Development Academy. Josh began his MLS career as a second-round pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft with the LA Galaxy until joining the Seattle Sounders in 2007 and Carolina Railhawks in 2009. He returned to MLS in 2011 with the Columbus Crew before being selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft. Josh graduated from the University of Cincinnati.
GRANT ALFORD - Part Time Trainer (Homeschool)
A former player and Sports Quest summer camp staff member, Grant was born in Houston and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Engineering. Grant has been an integral part of Sports Quest by been a coach, trainer and also a guest speaker and mentor for our summer camp staff.
Grant holds his US Soccer F License and his playing experience is as follows:
• Texas A&M University Mens Club Soccer (2000-2003)
• LeTourneau University Mens Soccer (1997-1999)
• Cypress Creek HS Soccer
• Klein Soccer Club (Classics 97)
JOHN BANTA - Part Time (Homeschool)
John Banta comes to Sport Quest as a 1991 graduate of Liberty University.
John and his family have returned to the United States with God's leading and after serving as missionaries in Guatemala City, Guatemala. While there, John served as Executive Director and President of Global Soccer Ministries Guatemala for 8 years helping develop and guide a multiple faceted and financially self-sustainable ministry designed to reach the underserved youth of the city with the Gospel using soccer as the platform. The ministry evolved so that it now runs under a national leadership group of men and women that God purposely grew and nurtured over time. John currently sits as an advising board member. Before leaving for the mission field John worked in a supervisory capacity with Sysco foods for a number of years. John was also a Program Director for a YMCA in Michigan while working with his wife Amy and the youth at the Inner City Planting Fellowship Ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan. John has been married to his lovely wife for 20 years and together they have 3 children Hope, Luke and Titus. John is excited to bring his passion and experience to Sports Quest helping usher in all that God has planned for the ministry as Sports Quest is used by God in the Greater Houston area and beyond.
ASHLEIGH GRIZZLE - Part Time Trainer (Homeschool)
Ashleigh Grizzle played as a starter for Canyon High School beginning her Sophomore year. She then went on to play college soccer her freshman year and graduated from West Texas A&M University where she studied Sports and Exercise Science in hopes to be a soccer coach at an elite level. Ashleigh went on to play soccer in Canada with Athletes in Action spreading the gospel through the sport. Ashleigh then moved to Dallas where she coached an elite team. In 2016 Ashleigh felt the Lord leading her to Houston to work with Sports Quest where she coached the HCYA middle school girls team in the Fall 2016- Spring 2017. Ashleigh now coaches the HCYA JV girls team.
SYDNEY VANHORN - Part Time Trainer (Homeschool)
Sydney Vanhorn is an alumni of the HCYA Hurricanes, playing on one of the founding teams. Sydney then went on to play collegiate soccer at Toccoa Falls College. During that time Sydney procured a starting position and also received the NCCAA First Team All Region Player and November Athlete of the Month. Sydney has many years experience of assisting and leading soccer practices. She is also CPR and First Aid Certified
MATT MILLER - Part Time Trainer
• United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" License
• National Youth Coaching License
• National Goalkeeping Level 1 and Level 2 Diploma
• NSCAA State Diploma
• Select Team Trainer Texas United F.C., Bear Creek United, Klein Quest, Pursuit Girls Club
• Outstanding youth player, winning 2 State Championships, 1990-95
• Olympic Development Program (ODP) pool player
• Offered Full Scholarship to Division 1 college
• Former player in Houston Premier League
• Degree in Business and Sports Administration
• First Aid, CPR and AED Certification
• Pastor at Houston's Second Baptist Church (Cypress Campus)
DEBBIE SPENCE - Co-Founder & Office Manager/Administrator
• Day to day office management
• Scheduling
• Online registration
• Website management
• Fundraising
• Marketing and promotions
• Accounting
• Payroll