Meet The Team

Blake Robinson

Founder/CEO

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Gris Football founder Blake Robinson carries with him over 20 years of soccer expertise. Growing up and playing youth soccer in Orange County, Blake also spent 5 years in Germany playing for Werder Bremen. NASM certified in personal training, corrective exercise, and performance enhancement, parlayed with his soccer knowledge, Blake has created an environment that provides a personalized experience for each athlete that equips them with a collective balance of mental and physical skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Sam Smithson

Partner/President

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Born and raised in Hertfordshire, England, Sam played his youth soccer for multiple different development programs and academies including Watford FC, Ipswich Town, and Tottenham Hotspur. Moving to the US over 10 years ago, Sam transitioned from player to coach at the age of 16 where he acquired over 8 years of coaching experience at the age of 25. With a coaching style that emphasizes calmness, creativity, and intelligence, Sam uses deliberate and game-like practices to provide soccer athletes with confidence on the pitch at any level.

Dr. Kait Ireland DPT

Physical Therapist

Dr. Kait Ireland is a soccer player turned strength & conditioning coach turned physical therapist. Her drive to provide high-quality care to soccer players comes from her love of soccer, coaching, and building athleticism as well as frustrations with the quality of care the athletes she’s worked with have received from traditional physicians and physical therapists who don’t understand the unique demands of soccer participation. She is passionate about helping athletes return to playing after injury stronger than before and reducing future injury occurrences through providing physical therapy that is supportive, empowering, and challenging enough to prepare an athlete's body for what high-level sports participation requires.

Dr. Kait offers physical therapy services through her company, Empowered Athletics Physical Therapy, located within Gris Football.