Nordic Directors

Gerard Jones - Executive Director

A central priority for Gérard is supporting our coaching staff and reinforcing Nordic’s place as a great home for coaching talent in Vermont and northern New England. His blend of formal education and global licensing provides a strong foundation to support, develop, and retain high character coaches right here in our local community.

Gérard is a UEFA Pro Licence candidate, holds the UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award, and serves as a National Coach Educator for both the U.S. Soccer Federation and U.S. Club Soccer, delivering courses up to the B Licence level. He is one of a select few educators globally to have delivered coach education on behalf of four continental confederations (UEFA, CAF, AFC, and CONCACAF) across the coaching spectrum.

Complementing his field credentials, Gérard holds advanced academic qualifications in sports leadership and teaching:

Master's degree in Sports Directorship (MSD) – Executive club administration, strategic leadership, financial modeling, and organizational governance.
Master of Science (MSc) in Performance Coaching – Advanced methodologies in performance analysis, mentorship, and athlete development.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Teaching strategies, curriculum design, and adult learning principles.
PhD in Skill Acquisition (Final Stages) – Practical research on how athletes acquire skills and how coaches design supportive learning environments.

Gerard is currently taking on our Premier U18 Girls team for the 2026/27 season.

Contact: gerard@nordicsoccer.org

Don Haddox - Interim Director of Coaching

Don brings a wealth of experience both in the Vermont soccer world, as well as in working with kids of all ages.

Since the winter of the 2021/22 season, Don has become a mainstay in our younger boys programming, helping craft not only very successful teams, but also extended families of players that span well beyond the pitch. By routinely creating and offering opportunities that often span outside of 'just another club', Don has specifically targeted helping families feel like Nordic can, and should, be transformational for their children, not just a family transaction.

Don is excited to bring his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to Nordic as a whole, and by utilizing our established Program Managers, as well as his relationship with our continuing Directors Cait & Mahat, will offer stability and familiar faces throughout the next few months.

If you'd like to read a few extra words about Don, please see the link below to his bio.

Don Haddox Bio - CLICK HERE!

Contact: don@nordicsoccer.org

Mahat Abdullahi - Technical Director

Mahat will work closely alongside our current technical staff and coaches. Mahat will build upon the club's existing foundation, introduce innovative player development strategies, and support our athletes in growing both on and off the field.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

Coaching Background: Brings 8 years of dedicated coaching experience, with a specialized focus on middle and high school age groups.
Certifications: Holds Coerver Coaching Youth Diplomas 1 & 2, and is currently pursuing a UEFA C License through the German Football Association (DFB), set for completion this fall.
Leadership Experience: Serves with a strong foundation in team leadership developed over 12 years with the Vermont Air National Guard and the United Way of Northwest Vermont.

With a proven history of leadership, specialized technical training, and a strong commitment to youth development, Mahat’s addition to the team represents a significant step forward for Nordic Soccer Club.

Contact: mahat@nordicsoccer.org