CARY, NC (February 14, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage have named Paul Forster as an assistant coach, the club announced today. Molly Dwyer has also joined the technical staff as the team’s Director of Player Experience and Team Administration, and long-time equipment manager Vannessa Fulcher has been promoted to Director of Equipment Operations.
Forster brings a wealth of coaching experience to the first team, holding his USSF A License and currently serving as the Director of Soccer for North Carolina FC Youth, a role he has held since 2015. In addition to his responsibilities with NCFC Youth, Forster has worked as the Director of Analytics for the men’s soccer team at North Carolina State University since 2017. Previously, he served in assistant coaching roles with Wake Forest University, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, NC Wesleyan College, and the State University of New York at Buffalo. Forster is happily married to his wife, Yexenia, and has two daughters Amelia (17) and Eva (13) who both play in the NC Courage Youth Academy.
“I am delighted to be joining the NC Courage staff as an assistant coach,” Forster said. “I am grateful to Sean and Curt for giving me the opportunity to work with the first team. I very much look forward to working alongside Sean, all of the staff connected with the first team, and of course, the group of fantastic players that will represent the Courage.”
Molly Dwyer has also joined the technical staff as the Director of Player Experience and Team Administration. In her role, Dwyer will actively build strong partnerships with players, coaches, and staff to ensure open and robust communication, assist with player housing and transportation, and serve as a liaison between the front office and the team regarding team operations and logistics. She will also be an active partner in the creation and maintenance of a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for players.
Prior to joining the Courage, she worked as the Director of Soccer Operations at the University of Portland and also spent time as an assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of North Carolina at Asheville while simultaneously working as their Director of Operations. Dwyer graduated from Furman University as a four-year member of the women’s soccer team with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Communication Studies. Most recently, she earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Northumbria University, and has also trained with Sunderland AFC Ladies and Racing Louisville FC.
Vannessa Fulcher has been promoted to Director of Equipment Operations in her sixth season with the Courage, formerly working as an Equipment Manager for the first team. In her enhanced role, Fulcher will work in tandem with the Director of Player Experience and Team Administration to improve player experience and maintain a positive work environment for players. She will also support and assist Sean Nahas and his staff, coordinate club operations staff for game-day logistics, and will aid in the setting up and breaking down of training sessions.
Fulcher graduated from East Carolina University with her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies, and has experience working as an equipment manager at Marshall University, Florida Atlantic University, and Texas Christian University after first becoming a certified equipment manager in 2014.
