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Interested in Sponsoring the Team?
Reach out to us at info@swflsc.org for more information on available sponsorships.
WHAT IS SWFL SC?
SWFL SC is a non-profit semi-professional soccer club doing things differently here in Southwest Florida.
While traditional development teams focus on gaining technical skills and accolades to build players for the next level of gameplay, we go a step further develop players so that they're prepared for their next career stage. When you invest in the SWFL SC experience, you know that you will gain tailored skills for
Scholarship and internship coaching
How to leverage your soccer resume for a career beyond the field
Professionalism, accountability, and personal growth planning
The bottom line: When players finish their time with SWFL SC, they will not only be better athletes but also better people.
WHO ARE SWFL SC LEADERSHIP?
Ray Gomes
Coach, Founder & CEO – SWFL SC
Ray Gomes was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but proudly considers himself “made in America,” having become a U.S. citizen as a teenager. A former standout at Clarksville High School in Clarksville, TN, Ray’s promising playing career was abruptly halted at age 19 due to a car accident. Refusing to let adversity define him, he made a remarkable comeback after extensive rehabilitation and returned to the pitch with Naples United in 2022. He most recently competed in the USPL with the Naples Captains during the 2024–2025 season.
Ray has served as an assistant coach for both the Naples Captains’ women’s league and their men’s UPSL Division 1 team. He is currently the head coach for the U12 team at Florida West Soccer and the head coach at Babcock Ranch Middle School. As the Founder and CEO of SWFL SC, he brings vision, leadership, and a relentless passion for growing the game in his community. He holds a U.S. Soccer Grassroots 11v11 certification and is pursuing his Class D License in the fall.
Ray is also a best-selling author of The Mindset Principle: How I Changed My Thinking to Overcome My Depression and Save My Life, where he shares his personal journey of resilience and transformation. His second book, The Underdog Warrior – Unlock the Warrior in You, is set to release in September 2025 and continues his mission of empowering others to rise through adversity.
Ray is a member of the Cutco Court Honor with over 1 million in career Sales. He has mentored over 1000 students in marketing, sales, and management over the last 17 years with Cutco Cutlery/Vector Marketing. Ray also helps realtors and business owners stay top of mind with his strategic business gifting program with Cutco Business Gift.
To Ray, being part of a team means being part of a family. He believes in creating a supportive, growth-minded environment where athletes are developed both on and off the field. He is also a certified life coach through Tony Robbins–Madanes Training and holds an MBA in Business & Marketing from Colorado Technical University. His coaching philosophy is driven by purpose, grit, and a belief in every player’s potential, guided by his personal motto: “Always be open to learning and be the best Underdog Warrior you can be.”
Cara Gomes
Co-Founder SWFLSC & OWNER OF Cutting Edge Branding
When you want to be the best, learn from the best. Cara is a master at applying systems to optimize organizations. She enjoys taking new systems and techniques from different industries and bringing fresh perspective to the organization she is assisting. SWFL SC & Owner of Cutting Edge Branding