FirstPoint Expands US Team with College Coach Appointment

FirstPoint USA has expanded its US college soccer consultancy team with the appointment of an experienced college coach as the company builds its support network to partner clubs in the northeast of the States.

Gavin Penny, who has served as head coach of Husson University men’s soccer team for the past eight years, makes the move from his collegiate soccer program to take on the new role of Heads of College Scouting for New Jersey. Bringing playing and coaching experience from an NCAA DII and DIII background, Gavin will play a key role in supporting players progressing through partner clubs and onto the college pathway.

FirstPoint’s partner network includes MLS clubs Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, as well as MLS Next sides Boston Bolts, Rochester NY, Real Jersey and SC Gjoa.

Gavin led the Husson University Eagles to back-to-back North Atlantic Conference East Division Championships and a North Atlantic Conference Championship in 2022, in NCAA DIII and also spent two seasons as assistant coach at the Eagles.

He has previously held coaching roles at New York Red Bulls and Nyack College, who he played for as a student-athlete where he was a four-year starter. During a successful career as a player, he played a key role in Nyack’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship-winning teams in 2010 and 2012, as well as helping the men’s soccer program earn their first NCAA Division II National Championship bid in the school’s history.

Prior to his collegiate career in the States, Gavin played for semi-professional clubs in London. He is also a CPA having most recently worked as a tax specialist at Berry Dunn, and an audit senior assistant for Deloitte & Touche.

“I’m really excited to be starting this new chapter with FirstPoint USA and working with players and their families to provide hands on guidance as they embark on their student-athlete journeys. I’ve had a fantastic coaching career with Husson working with some fabulous players and I appreciate what’s required to become a successful college player, both on and off the pitch.” said Gavin.

FirstPoint recently staged College ID Trials in partnership with Sporting Delaware, with further events to follow, supporting college coaches with recruitment activities and guiding players through the college soccer pathway.

Andrew Kean, CEO and Founder, welcomed the new appointees to bolster FirstPoint’s US presence: “We are delighted to bring in Gavin as a key member of staff. He knows college soccer from a different perspective and he will add further insight to our team, while building our club partnership network and working with players. 

“We are committed to only identifying players to coaches who are a strong fit for a program and doing the preparatory work on their behalf, while providing a hands on service to families that guides them through the process step-by-step with a personal touch.”