NCFC Youth is proud to announce the appointment of Amanda Aldridge as the club’s new NC Courage Pre-Academy Director. Aldridge brings a wealth of coaching experience, a deep commitment to player development, and a distinguished background in elite women’s soccer to the NC Courage Academy structure.

Originally from Australia, Aldridge relocated to the United States in 2014. Since then, she has established herself as a respected leader at every level of the game. Most recently, she served as Florida Director of Coaching and Head Coach at Davie United Soccer Club, where she oversaw the girls’ program, mentored coaching staff, and drove the implementation of the club’s curriculum and culture. Aldridge simultaneously served as a Youth National Team Scout for the U.S. Soccer Federation, identifying and monitoring top talent for U.S. youth national teams.

Aldridge holds a USSF Director of Coaching (CTL) license, a USSF B License, and is in the final assessment stage of her USSF A-Youth License. She began her coaching career with Coerver Coaching in Australia and has worked at the high school, club, and national scouting levels throughout her career. As a player, Aldridge competed in the Australian Women’s Premier League and represented the Australian Defence Force National Team internationally.

“We are very excited to welcome Amanda as our new NC Courage Pre-Academy Director. The Pre-Academy is a critical part of the long-term success of the NC Courage Academy, and I am looking forward to working closely with Amanda to ensure we build and maintain a structure that aligns with the vision, standards, and developmental pathway of the NC Courage Academy. Welcome to the team, Amanda! We’re excited for the impact you’ll have on our players, families, and staff.”

— Erwin Van Bennekom, NC Courage Academy

“I am excited to join NC Courage as the Pre-Academy Director. I look forward to working with colleagues, players and families to continue the club’s excellence in player development and building a love for the game.”

— Amanda Aldridge, NC Courage Pre-Academy Director



Aldridge steps into a pivotal role within the NC Courage Academy, which serves as one of the premier player development pathways in the country. The Pre-Academy program is the foundational tier of that structure, focused on nurturing young players and instilling the values, technical standards, and competitive culture that define the NC Courage Academy organization.