Big soccer news for Hawks Athletics!
Calling all Hawks fans and student athletes! Exciting changes are on the way for TGS soccer. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, our Upper School soccer team will compete in the winter sports season under the leadership of Coach Bel Haouala.
Coach Haouala has served as the Technical Director for the RSL Southern Arizona Soccer Club since 2018. A former professional player, he has extensive coaching experience at all levels of youth soccer, from recreational teams to state champions and teams competing at the national level. He has served as a member of the Arizona Youth Soccer Association coaching education staff and a head coach for the Arizona Olympic Development Program. Coach Haouala comes to TGS from Tucson High School, where he earned the recognition of Southern Arizona 6A Coach of the Year.
Moving our soccer program to the winter season not only puts us in alignment with other schools in the Tucson area–resulting in less long-distance travel for our athletes–it allows TGS students who play club soccer to also play for school: AIA regulations prevent students from participating in the same club and school sport simultaneously. Club soccer takes a break in winter so that players can play for their schools. In the past, TGS soccer players have struggled with having to choose between playing for school or their club, and the move will resolve that difficulty.
Bel Haouala will become The Gregory School's varsity soccer coach in 2026-27, when we move to the winter season.
“I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to elevate our soccer program,” James Foreman, Head of School said. “The move to the winter season and the hiring of Coach Bel affirm the commitment to our Tradition of Inspiring Excellence.”
Athletics Director Angela Earnhart sees the change as an investment in our athletics program, with soccer being the first piece of more to come. “Our athletics programs continue to be robust," she said. “For example, our Upper School Girls volleyball program has 28 players this year and varsity heads into the region tourney in a great position. We’re looking forward to continuing the growth of all of our programs and believe this soccer move will help us achieve our goals.”
Craig Everson, head coach of our back-to-back state championship boys varsity basketball team and our middle school boys program agrees. “I’m happy the move to winter places a greater emphasis on building a strong soccer program and growing our population of dedicated student athletes."
Chess, cross country, girls volleyball, and swim will continue to comprise our fall Upper School sports, providing three-season school athletes with plenty of opportunities.
While this change is still several months away, Coach Haouala is already anticipating his arrival and planning for the future. He describes his soccer philosophy as centered on developing “complete players” — emphasizing technical mastery, tactical intelligence, and adaptability across all phases of play. He believes that winning is a by-product of long-term player development, focusing on building confident, intelligent players.
“I’m really excited to be joining The Gregory School and to start this new chapter with TGS Athletics,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of a school that offers such an outstanding education and truly values both academic and athletic excellence.”