Directors of Instruction
KEVIN SMELTZ
DIRECTOR OF GOLF
Kevin Smeltz, our Top 100 Golf Magazine Director of Golf, oversees all of the instructional programs and is dedicated to hiring and training an elite group of coaches that supports the PGA of America Academies. Kevin, along with the PGA, has fined tuned the training curriculum for our programs and fit them to best suit the youth golfers' needs in China.
Working with some of the best in the game including Nick Price, Charles Howell III, and Na Yeon Choi, Kevin knows what it takes to produce a winner. Although he still works with several professional tour players, Kevin’s heart is in junior golf.
While under his instruction, Kevin’s students have achieved 22 wins on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and Champions Tour. In addition to that, he has also coached many top amateurs and top-ranked juniors in the world rankings. Kevin has taught two U.S. Walker Cup team members, two No. 1-ranked college players, a No. 2-ranked college player, and many top-ranked juniors. Kevin has been awarded many accolades including being voted one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers (2012-Present) and regularly contributing to golf magazines around the world.
BOB PIERCE
DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL
Coach Bob began his coaching career over 20 years ago as a middle school basketball coach in the US. Since that time he has coached high schoolers, university students, and professional athletes all over the world. His passion is for developing basketball players, young and old. Coach Bob’s extensive professional coaching experience includes Head Coach of Shenzhen’s CBA feeder team, Xin Sheng Wei Basketball, three years as Head Coach in Japan’s professional BJ-League and a stint as an Assistant Coach with the Japanese Senior National Team. Coach Bob is Five-Star Sports’ Director of Instruction and has headed up the development of our unique curriculum and coach’s training.
Top Credentials:
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Five-Star Sports’ Director of Instruction
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Asia Scout for Miami Heat
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Asia scout for Cleveland cavaliers
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Former Assistant Coach of Japan National Men's Team
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Former Assistant Coach of China National Men’s U18 Youth Team
MARCO POMPILI
DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL
Marco Pompili is an elite technical director who has developed academies with AC Milan in Japan, Perù, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Russia. In each country, academies are grown thanks to the establishment and ongoing management of coach/player development programs.
Marco employs modern coaching methodologies of the Italian Football Federation to develop the Academies of AC Milan and to grow the skills and knowledge of the players. By living and working in different countries, Marco has learned new cultures and coaching techniques specific to youth. His passion for travel has helped him to adapt to the students he works with.
Marco's Academy Director licenses and qualifications include:
- FIGC Academy Director Pro
- UEFA B License
- UEFA C License
- Match Analyst Pro
- Degree in Sport Science
ANNE AALLONEN
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
Anne is a former WTA professional who played on the WTA and ITF tours achieving her highest WTA ranking of 179 in Singles and 116 in Doubles. Anne has competed at the Grand Slams and represented Finland and Hong Kong at the Fed Cup. As a professional player, she was coached by Niki Pilic, one of the world’s former top players and coaches.
Anne is the former Head Coach of the HK Tennis Association and the former Head Coach of the Junior Development and Elite Juniors at the HK Ladies Recreation Club (LRC). She has been training players professionally for over 30 years, having learned from the legendary late Bob Brett.
Anne has coached many elite-level international players, including Emma Laine (WTA 50) and Tong Ka Po (WTA 236 and ITF Juniors 102). Anne has also worked with European and Hong Kong ITF Junior players that have attained world rankings of 60-800.
As a coach, Anne has traveled regularly with her players to international tournaments across the world. She has organized successful tennis training camps in China, the USA, Asia, and Europe, and organized tournament tours.
