TSC TEAM
Kristin Russell
Co-Founder and Goalkeeping Director for Tampa Soccer Clinics
Is a former professional goalkeeper and Division I College standout at St. John’s University. After years of playing youth soccer as both a field player and goalkeeper, Kristin accepted a scholarship to St. John’s University in Queens, NY where she was a four-year starter. As a freshman, Kristin finished the season ranked 3rd in the Nation among goalkeepers as well as being named St. John’s Team Most Valuable Player. While playing for St. John’s, Kristin rewrote the school’s record books becoming the all-time record holder in victories, shutouts and goals-against average. She is also listed many times in the single-season record charts for the BIG EAST and NCAA.
Upon graduating from St. John’s University she signed a contract to play professional soccer with Afturelding FC in Mosfellsbaer, Iceland. During her professional campaign, she was a 4-time Man of the Match and helped Afturelding FC to its first-ever playoff berth.
In 2013 Kristin returned to the states to begin a new venture. She moved back to St. Petersburg, Florida and started KRS Goalkeeping Academy.
In 2018 Kristin became the DOC (Director of Coaching) for Seminole Santos Soccer Club, as well as the Goalkeeper Coach for Florida Southern College Women's Soccer, an NCAA Division II Program in the Sunshine State Conference.
KRS Goalkeeping has worked with and influenced many goalkeepers across the Tampa Bay Area, and with much success, it has become the top Goalkeeper Academy in the area.
Kristin is extremely passionate about player development, building confidence, and helping players achieve their full potential.
Elliot Payne
Co-Founder and Field Player
Director for Tampa Soccer Clinics
Coach Elliot, a native of Harrogate, England, Coach Elliot has an extensive knowledge of the game, growing up in a country where it is so much more than just the national sport. A culture of ‘football’ that is ingrained and esteemed in tradition - from Grassroots level, all the up to the Premier League!
Coach Elliot played at the collegiate level in England - representing Harrogate College for two seasons’ as a winger (2005-2007) in the English Colleges Football Association League (ECFA). At the same time, he attended Leeds Metropolitan University’s: Carnegie Sport College for two years studying Sport Performance, and received a BTEC National Certificate in Sport: Performance and Excellence. At the tender age of 18, he gained his 1st4Sport F.A Level 1 & 2 Coaching Football Licenses (2007) and began his career in professionally certified coaching.
In 2008, he emigrated to Tampa, FL to attend the University of Tampa and study within their Athletic Department. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science in 2012.
Coach Elliot has worked as a professionally certified coach for 10 years and has coached both boys and girls at various competitive youth soccer teams, from the North of England to California.
Tampa Soccer School was created in 2015, in an aim to bring professional training to the youth players of Tampa Bay. In a short period of time, TSS reputation grew, coaching players from U9 to collegiate level, with a brash, technical and intelligent coaching style.
Coach Elliot is very passionate about the future of the game here in the States and is excited about working with the next generation of young players and coaches.
Felix Thomas
Defender/Mid-Field Coach & IT Specialist for Tampa Soccer Clinics
Coach Felix has a passion for soccer and extensive coaching experience at all levels with players from all over the world. He heard the call to coach early on at the age of 19, where he attained FA level certifications which initially lead to him assisting at the collegiate level then progressing to head coach at St. George’s University in the West Indies.
Success was found in coaching both the women and men teams by leading the women to a championship in the inaugural year of a national tournament and repeatedly leading the men to stages of the finals in several tournaments. When he wasn’t coaching at the collegiate level, he was spending his time coaching youths in several grassroots programs with the Jason Roberts Foundation and promoting a healthy lifestyle and development through the founding of Athletic Development Grenada. He also assisted Gary Mulcahey and the Grenada National
Football team as they prepared for the Gold Cup 2011.
In 2015, Felix came to the states and immediately hit the ground running. He began working with one of the biggest youth soccer programs in Florida, Tampa Bay United and now works with Florida Premier Football Club. During that time he obtained a ACE certification in personal training, using that to hold one-on-one coaching and development sessions.
He also acquired the USSF level D certification and is currently pursuing his USSF level C, Youth Fitness Specialist certification and Sports Performance Specialist certification.
Ryan Stevens
Goalkeeper Coach for Tampa Soccer Clinics
Is a Former division one goalkeeper at the University of North Florida. Ryan was also a former semi-professional player for the Rowdies U23 and had a contract for USL 2’s Florida Elite Soccer Academy. Before Ryan’s collegiate and semi-professional years, he played for Brandon’s VSI soccer club, Strictly Soccer FC, and Tampa Bay United, an ECNL team. While playing for Tampa Bay United in his final year of club soccer, Ryan helped his team win a State Championship, Regional Championship, and National Championship. Also being a two time Olympic Developmental Player, Ryan Traveled across the U.S representing the state of Florida as one of the top-ranked goalkeepers in the nation. Unfortunately, Ryan’s career was cut short due to injury in his first year of collegiate play. He now takes a serious career in goalkeeper coaching by already obtaining his USC Goalkeeper Level 1 Diploma and will be running a big part of KRS Goalkeeping in Tampa Bay, Florida.