LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Graeme Orr as the school’s first head women’s soccer coach.

Orr, native of Eaglesham, Scotland, was an assistant coach at the University of North Alabama for two seasons. While at UNA, Orr helped the Lions’ soccer team become the most improved women’s soccer team in the nation. UNA was 8-11-1 in 2008 and 19-4-1 in 2009. With19 wins last season, the Lions made their first appearance in the GSC Women’s Soccer Tournament since 1999 and their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Regionals in the program’s history, including the school’s first post-season win, a 3-2 victory over Florida Southern. Orr finished his M.A. in Health Promotion and Human Performance in 2009.

“Graeme Orr personifies everything our new women’s soccer program needs,” said UWA Director of Athletics Dr. E. J. Brophy. “His youth, energy and soccer skill set will be invaluable as we start the process of building what we hope will be a first-class Division II soccer program here at UWA.”

Along with his duties in Florence, Ala., Orr also served as a head coach for the Alabama Olympic Development Program.

Orr is a 2007 graduate of Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. where he played four seasons for the Redhawks. During his collegiate career, he helped guide MMC to the Tran-South regular season and post-season championships in 2004. He was voted best midfielder for 2004 and made the Tran-South 2nd team in 2004. In his season year of 2006, Orr captained the Redhawks. Orr received a B.S. in Sports Management and was awarded the Sports Management award in 2007. He was also inducted into the Champions of Character Hall of Fame in 2005.

Prior to his time in Florence, Orr spent a year working for the Alabama Youth Soccer Association in Birmingham. His role was as the Programs Director and he aided with projects such as Soccer Start and the Olympic Development Program or ODP.

Orr played for Hiberian Boys Club and Albion Rovers in Scotland. In 2001, he played full-time with Albion Rovers and completed a SVQ level 2 in Sport & Recreational Studies. In 2002, he became a soccer coach for East Renfrewshire Council where he worked with children from 3-16 years old.

Orr has a number of coaching licenses which include NSCAA Advanced National, USSF ‘C’ License, US Youth Soccer National Youth License, Scottish F.A. Level 3 in Children & Youth, and Scottish F.A. Level 1 in Goalkeeping and Adult.