Alek Roschko, NJ Youth Soccer

The second-ever New Jersey Youth Soccer Skills Challenge was held last summer, with more than 200 players from different clubs and teams throughout the state in attendance. The participants were challenged in a skills competition that including passing, dribbling, shooting, chipping and juggling drills. The event was a huge success, and that would not have been possible without the help of Glenn Gargan.

Glenn attended the 2023 NJYS Annual General Meeting and heard both US Youth Soccer and NJ Youth Soccer representatives encourage technical skill development through alternative fun programs. This made him immediately start thinking about bringing the Skills Challenge at West Windsor Plainsboro Soccer Association (WWPSA) to the state level.

Soccer has been a staple in the life of Glenn Gargan since he was a young child, with his family sharing that same passion for the game. His father was the President of Neptune Soccer Association for years, as well as his mother being one of the first girls' soccer coaches in the region. This type of support and encouragement allowed Glenn and his brother to have highly decorated playing careers that led to them both being inducted into the Hall of Fame at their respective colleges.

Glenn’s involvement with youth soccer started by coaching his sons Jake and Max’s travel team at West Windsor Plainsboro Soccer Association (WWPSA). He eventually became Director of Travel for WWPSA as well. While in that position, he developed the Travel Development Academy (or TDA Program) for young players in the club, introducing them to the technical side of the game as well as their families to the travel soccer lifestyle. Additionally, Glenn created the first multi-year Skills Challenge at WWPSA to encourage the importance of technical skill development. The program was a huge success, resulting in dramatic player improvement throughout the club.

“I would like to see New Jersey take the lead in true player development, thus bringing New Jersey back to the top of the nation for high-level players,” Glenn stated when asked about the importance of the Skills Challenge. “I feel as our players develop, the game as a whole will develop.”

After his sons aged out of the travel program, Glenn took a few years off from soccer before returning to serve as an US Soccer Federation Licensed Referee, coach at Allentown High School and President of Home Town FC. He also founded The Phil Gargan Foundation, which has a mission of empowering lives and community through soccer, on and off the field.

We asked Glenn what some of the most rewarding aspects are when it comes to working in youth soccer.

“Honestly, most rewarding for me is being able to give back to the next generations of skills, both on the soccer field and in life,” he said. “I was blessed throughout my life. Soccer has given me some of my closest friends and special life experiences.”

Among the many positive memories that the game has afforded Glenn, there is one in particular that has always stuck out.

“One of the greatest experiences is I was fortunate enough to have been trained by some great European players such as Frans Beckenbauer,” he reflected. “I am happy to now be able to share that same experience with our young players today through a summer camp I have created, coached by two veteran players from Inter Milan, Giuseppe Bergomi and Giuseppe Baresi. I am hopeful I can give today’s players something that made a difference in my game to improve their game, as well as to help those underserved here in our area and those in other parts of the world who face great challenges.”

Glenn Gargan's profound journey in soccer is not merely a tale of personal achievements but also a testament to the transformative impact of dedication, mentorship and community engagement. His commitment to imparting both soccer skills and life lessons upon youth players reflects a passion that has continually extended far beyond the pitch.

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