Okanagan Whitecaps FC have announced their Super Y-League coaching staff for the 2009 season.
“This is another important step in the building of a professional club program here in the Okanagan,” says Okanagan WFC technical director Chris Bennett. "I look forward to working closely with the staff, so we can really make an impact and increase the opportunities for players here."
“Part of our long-term plan is to develop more qualified coaches in the Okanagan,” said Whitecaps WFC general manager Geoff Greenwell. “Our first step was to hire a technical director that had both the experience and the character to lead this process. In Chris Bennett, we have a resource that will not only build player development, but also coach development.”
Bennett is a former Canadian international and an original member of the Whitecaps. Bennett has over twenty years of coaching experience, with many years at the international level and also with the Whitecaps.
Bennett and Greenwell have worked to put together a qualified and professional staff for the 2009 Super Y-League season.
Neil McPhie – U-13 Boys
McPhie spent the last five years coaching youth and boys development soccer in Vernon. He was also the 2008 BC Summer Games U-12 head coach for TOYSL. He will be taking his CSA 'B' License certification this winter.
Andy Stevenson – U-14 Boys
In 2007, Stevenson held the head coaching position at Okanagan Mission Youth Soccer Association. He coached last year's Super Y-League U-13 Boys and is looking forward to building on that in 2009. Stevenson is scheduled for his Provincial 'B' License.
Al Ryder – U-15 Boys
Ryder served as the head coach of Rutland Youth Soccer Association until becoming their chairman and then the chairman for COYSA. He has coached select soccer in Kelowna and coached last year’s U-14 Boys Super Y-League team. Ryder holds a 'Pre-B' coaching license.
Jason Thompson – U-16 Boys
As a player, Thompson captained the BC provincial team at U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels, winning the national title in all three years. He was also a member of the U-20 Canadian national team that went on to CONCACAF qualifying in Honduras. Thompson has coached at Kelowna United and is entering his third year as a Super Y-League coach. He currently holds a provincial 'Pre B' Licence.
John Hemmerling - U-13 Girls
Hemmerling led the 2008 U-13 Super Y-League girls to a successful season and coached the Thompson Okanagan U-12 Girls to a BC Summer Games gold medal. He holds a provincial 'Pre-B' License.
Jim Kruiper - U-14 Girls
As a coach, Kruiper brings a wealth of experience from being a player-coach for several competitive men’s teams in Calgary, Kamloops and Kelowna. Kruiper has played soccer for over 40 years and is also a certified BCSA referee.
Rob Jones - U-15 Girls
Rob joins the Super Y coaching staff after recently moving from Sherwood Park, Alberta. He co-coached the Black Gold team to a gold medal at the Alberta Summer Games, and coached Edmonton Clippers in its only year in the Super Y-League. He holds a provincial 'B' License.
Steven Bergg – U-16 Girls
Berg has primarily coached in Edmonton, Alberta. He studied under Canadian national team coach Ross Ongaro at the Pro-Start Academy. Bergg is scheduled to complete his provincial 'B' License in November.
For more information on Okanagan WFC, please visit
www.okanaganwfc.com
.
