As a leader in player development at Cedar Stars Academy Bergen and Bergen West since 2017, Declan brings more than 10 years of international coaching experience to CSA Hudson Valley. He is committed to providing youth players with a professional coaching experience that is detailed, relevant and realistic to allow each player to  strive and express themselves to reach the next level in their soccer pathway. 

Currently completing his US Soccer B license, Declan holds his Scottish Football Association Level 3, Scottish Football Association Goalkeeping Level 1, United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Diploma and a Coerver Youth Diploma. 

His experience coaching at club and professional youth level,  along with his playing career through the professional youth system in Scotland at Celtic, Hibernian, Livingston and Stenhousemuir has laid a strong foundation allowing Declan to provide vision and growth for CSA Hudson Valley’s Zone 1 players and coaches both on and off the field.

Coach Declan can be reached at [email protected]

Coach Christian Henry enters his seventh year with Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley for the 2022/2023 season. 

As a Coach, Christian has worked with players and teams of all age groups throughout his time at the club. Christian has coached 2008 Boys, 2006 Boys, 2006/2007 Girls, 2004 Boys and 2003 Boys. In addition to his work at CSA, Coach Christian is the Director of Player Development at Eastern Pike Youth Soccer Club and an Assistant Coach for both JV and Varsity for the DV High School Boys program. He currently holds his USSF F license, 11v11 Course, and United Soccer Coach Futsal Diploma. 

As a player, Christian earned All-state and All-American honors at Delaware Valley before signing to Division I University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Christian then went on trials in the United States, Sweden, Finland and Ireland. After his time abroad, Christian signed to play for UPSL, NPSL, and USL 2 sides. 

Aaron joins Cedar Stars Academy bringing a wealth of experience that comes from 20 years of coaching within the Hudson Valley and throughout the broader tri-state area. This includes coaching players at all ages and ability levels, from 3 and 4-year-old beginners, to travel and pre-academy teams, to semi-professional players aspiring to reach the highest levels of the game.

Growing up locally, Aaron attended high school at Pine Bush and played for the Town of Wallkill Soccer Club from ages 4-18. He then went on to play collegiately at the University of Rhode Island for three years, and at SUNY Cortland for two years.

Achieving his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A license in 2011, he currently holds his USSF B license. Aaron also holds a United Soccer Coaches - Coach Developer Diploma, was formerly a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and has been certified as a Performance Enhancement Specialist by NASM.

Aaron returns to coaching in the Hudson Valley after spending the last 10 years working for the New York Red Bulls Youth Programs. He is hoping to be able to use his knowledge and experience in player development to give the youth of the Hudson Valley opportunities to realize their potential and achieve their goals in the game of soccer.

Ashley Mann is one of our Cedar Stars coaches with an extensive soccer background. Ashley was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and grew up as an elite multi-sport athlete. Her deep passion and love for the sport of soccer had her competing at the highest levels from a young age. 

Some of her most highlighted soccer accomplishments include playing on the Ontario Provincial Team, being named a first-team all-star and four-year letter winner in High School, playing three years at the club level for the St. Catherine’s Jets of the Ontario Women’s Soccer League, winning the Ontario Cup in 2007, and receiving a full athletic soccer scholarship to the University At Albany, State University of New York (SUNY) which brought Ashley to the United States at age 17. During Ashley’s Division 1 Collegiate Career at UAlbany she became a co-captain in her senior year and broke the all-time points record as well as the all-time scoring record in 2009. She was also named to the America East Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll multiple seasons of her UAlbany soccer career.  After receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work from UAlbany, she moved to Colorado Springs, CO where she started coaching soccer at the youth level.

As a coach, Ashley is focused on enhancing individual player development and growth on and off the field, and committed to creating a positive and competitive team culture. She is excited to continue to share her passion and knowledge of soccer with the girls of the Hudson Valley in hopes that players will find love for the sport and be provided with great opportunities.