The George Washington women’s soccer program has added Emma Wright to its staff as an assistant coach under first-year head coach Sarah Barnes. Wright’s responsibilities will focus on recruiting, attack training and day-to-day operations.

“Growing up in Manchester, Emma has been immersed in the English soccer culture and we are very excited for her to join our staff,” said Coach Barnes. “Her knowledge of the game and playing experience at the English youth national level has guided her development both as a player and as a coach. She is a passionate teacher who understands how to connect with players and communicate the technical and tactical aspects of the game. She will challenge us all to be better.”

Coach Wright is the second assistant coach hire for Coach Barnes, as Marla Nelson was appointed assistant coach on Feb. 29. 

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work at such a prestigious university and I am looking forward to being apart of the new direction the GW athletics department is taking,” Coach Wright said. “”I am very appreciative of the opportunity Patrick Nero and Sarah Barnes have given me as an assistant coach and I am eager to give everything I have back to the GW women’s soccer program.”

A native of Manchester, England, Coach Wright joins the Colonials' staff after spending the past four years serving as the director of coaching for the Fort Worth Panthers of the third-tier Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Her duties with the Panthers included working with developmental age groups, assisting with competitive teams, fundraising, coordinating and managing spirit wear, producing monthly newsletters and assisting with Fort Worth F.C. camps and club tournaments.

Prior to joining the Panthers’ staff, Coach Wright served as assistant coach for two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana University from 2006-2008 where she helped the Lady Lions advance to the Southland Conference tournament semifinals in both seasons. In addition to her NCAA Division I coaching experience, Coach Wright also spent two seasons at Division II Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., from 2004-06.

Coach Wright played at the collegiate level at both Division I Central Connecticut State University and Division II Slippery Rock University. Throughout her three seasons at CCSU, she helped the squad to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament's second round. A three-year letterwinner with the Blue Devils, Coach Wright was a First Team All-Northeast Conference selection and was named the Central Connecticut Sportswriters Player of the Year after helping CCSU win two NEC titles. Wright transferred to Slippery Rock her senior year where she made an immediate impact and was named All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference while helping The Rock to the PSAC West Title in 2004.

Before coming to the United States, Coach Wright played in England's Women's Premier League for both the Doncaster Belles and Everton, the latter of which won the premiership title. She was also a member of the National Women’s Football Academy from 1998-2000 and competed in the England National Team U-18 trials in 1998. Coach Wright holds a USSF 'C' License and a referee license. She received her National Soccer Coaches Association of America State Level 1 Goalkeeping Diploma in 2007.

Coach Wright graduated from CCSU in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in art, specializing in graphic design. She completed her master's degree in education at Christian Brothers University in 2007. Coach Wright is newly married to Vassar Cates.