Carly Najera (She/Her/Hers)
Photographer: Jamie Giambrone
Head coach
Office Hours: (Hybrid)
carly@kensingtonsoccer.org
“I tell my girls “we either win or we learn””
Carly Najera is the head coach of the U13 Girls Team, and a highly involved KSC Board Member. Not only has her daughter grown up with the club, but she has facilitated a community of connection and support among her daughters’ teammates and their families. Beyond her coaching, Carly has contributed to our community outreach through support with events, a member of the SAVE Committee, and is the co-founder of our Girls Empowerment Initiative. Carly has been with KSC for over 6 years.
Carly earned her Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) from The Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and her Masters in Education at Cabrini University. Carly is an emerging artist who has exhibited her work in galleries throughout Philadelphia, and facilitated opportunities for the children she coaches to enjoy art through creative activities, and trips to art events/institutions. These accolades are even more profound to Carly because she was the first person on either side of her family to attend college and earn her Masters. As a first generation college student, she leverages the insight from her experiences to create safe and inclusive spaces for children and adults.
As a Coach, Carly is intentional about fostering a community among her athletes. She says, “I want my players to value teamwork, community, & hard work. I encourage them to learn from their mistakes. But most importantly, I want them to to know that they always have a safe space here with our team and with KSC. Their love of soccer brought them together but their sisterhood will keep them together way past youth soccer.” Carly has contributed to initiatives for all at Kensington Soccer Club, but she is especially motivated to create opportunities for female-identifying soccer athletes that last longer than soccer.
Program Affiliations
Girls Empowerment Initiative
Soccer Athletes Value Education (SAVE)
Youth Travel