Coach Aubrey Kelly

Coach Citizen FC Conejo Valley | GU09 IGNITE

Aubrey Kelly is an entrepreneur, coach, and community builder dedicated to developing young athletes who compete with discipline, confidence, and strong character.

She is the Founder and Executive Director of Citizen Football Club, a youth soccer organization focused on building competitive teams rooted in the values of Commitment, Community, and Citizenship. In addition to leading the organization, Aubrey actively coaches at the grassroots level and believes the most meaningful leadership begins on the training field.

Aubrey currently coaches the Citizen FC Conejo Valley GU09 team, Ignite, focusing on the critical developmental years where players build technical fundamentals, confidence with the ball, and a lasting love of the game. Her coaching emphasizes a positive, disciplined environment where players learn to support one another, work hard, and grow through both success and challenge.

She has coached across multiple youth levels, including 6U through 12U and All-Star teams, giving her a broad perspective on how players progress from early skill development to more structured competitive play.

Playing Background

Aubrey began playing soccer at age five and continued through college. She competed at Northern Arizona University (Division I) before transferring to Willamette University (Division III), where the team advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

In addition to soccer, she rowed crew at Willamette and earned recognition as an All-American Rower.

Education & Athletic Development

Aubrey holds a BA and MS in Biology with an emphasis in Exercise Science, providing a strong foundation in human movement, training adaptation, and athlete development.

She previously served as Sport Science Lead for the U.S. Paralympic Swimming National Team, where she worked with elite athletes to optimize performance, recovery, and training strategies.

This background shapes a coaching style that blends technical development, sport science principles, and positive athlete psychology.

Coaching Philosophy

Aubrey believes youth sports should develop both competitive players and strong people.

Her coaching emphasizes:

• Love of the game

• Respect for teammates and opponents

• Confidence and resilience through challenge

• Learning through repetition, play, and discovery

• Responsibility to team and community

She also encourages players to see themselves as part of something larger than the field. Her teams regularly participate in service-oriented experiences connected to organizations such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Make-A-Wish, reinforcing the Citizen FC principle that athletes should grow as both competitors and community leaders.