Elmhurst City Surf Welcomes Dean Harding as New Director of Leagues/Tournaments

June 23, 2025

Elmhurst, IL — Elmhurst City Surf is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dean Harding as the club’s new Director of Leagues/Tournaments, effective August 1, 2025.


A seasoned professional with over 25 years of combined playing and coaching experience, Dean brings elite-level expertise and a proven track record in player development to the Elmhurst City Surf family. He holds both UEFA A and US A licenses, in addition to a US Technical Director qualification, underscoring his deep commitment to excellence in coaching education and leadership.


Born in London, England, and residing in the U.S. since 2018, Dean has helped develop some of the brightest young talents in the game, including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri during his time at Premier League academies. His coaching résumé features notable achievements such as:


  • Leading Arsenal FC's U16 boys to an Elite European Competition title in 2017, defeating clubs like Juventus and Bayern Munich.
  • Guiding Arsenal FC's U18 girls and U10 boys to national titles against top-tier opponents like Everton FC and West Ham United.
  • Steering two teams to Illinois State Cup victories and Regional Final appearances.


Dean’s leadership experience is equally impressive. He has served as a Director of a Girls Academy, a Women’s Soccer Coach at Northwestern University, and currently contributes as an Olympic Development Coach for Illinois and a US Soccer Coach Educator. In 2016, he conducted a high-level training session for the U19 England Women’s National Team, showcasing his international recognition.

Dean's coaching philosophy is centered on the holistic development of athletes—blending technical, tactical, physical, psychological, and social components to create complete players on and off the field. He is known for his infectious personality, motivational leadership, and exceptional communication and problem-solving skills.


“We are beyond excited to bring Dean Harding on board,” said Stacey Lundgren, Executive Director of Elmhurst City Surf. “Dean’s depth of experience, passion for player development, and proven ability to inspire athletes make him the perfect fit for our club. His leadership will elevate our coaching standards and enhance the experience for every player and family in our community.”



Please join us in welcoming Dean Harding to Elmhurst City Surf!