Knoxville Force general manager Jason Goss believes Derek Broadley’s international experience will prove invaluable during the club’s inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).The Force announced last week that Broadley, who steps down as the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) technical director in April, had signed a short-term contract with the team.He heads to Tennessee later this week to attend the side’s player tryouts as the Force step up their preparations for the coming season.Goss said Broadley had a proven track record as a highly qualified coach in the UK, –US and Bermuda.“Derek has worked successfully to improve team, player and coach performance in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and North America,” he said.“He has proven himself to be an excellent communicator, leader and coach in the sport of soccer.“We are extremely fortunate to attract someone of Derek’s calibre to lead our new Knoxville Force team.“He holds (UEFA) ‘A’ license and is a graduate of the NSCAA ‘Master Coach’ programme, most recently has served as technical director of the Bermuda Football Association.“UEFA is the governing body of football in Europe and the NSCAA is the largest soccer coaches’ organisation in the world.”Stephen Lyons, who is the current head coach at the Tennessee Weselyan College men’s team, has been appointed as Broadley’s assistant.Goss continued: “We have a very dynamic and well rounded pair of coaches.“To have Derek come from such a high level of competition is outstanding for the Force and Knoxville community. He brings a highly regarded international skill set to the area.“Lyons complements this with an understanding of the regional players and structure of soccer in the southeast.”As well as leading the Knoxville Force, the coaching staff will host community soccer camps in the Knoxville area this summer.Ex-Reading Rage coach Broadley was told back in August that his three-year contract would not be renewed by the BFA.The NPSL season starts in mid-May and finishes with playoffs and regional and national championship matches at the end of July. Each team plays a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 regular season games.The Force also plan to establish a women’s team, the Knoxville Lady Force, in the 2012 season.The NPSL is a rival of the Premier Development League (PDL) and is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).n www.knoxvilleforce.com