Bate Resigns from Association

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) has accepted the resignation of Technical Director, Richard Bate, effective immediately. Bate has accepted the Technical Director’s position with newly promoted English Premiership side Watford Football Club, where he is expected to oversee the club’s technical programs.
“It has been a real pleasure for me to have been here in Canada for the past 10 months as the country’s Technical Director,” said Bate. “I have travelled from coast to coast, met many fine people in the short time I have been here, and have commenced many new technical initiatives which I believe will have a lasting and positive benefit for soccer in Canada.”

“When I first came to Canada last summer, I honestly felt that a return to the Premiership was not going to happen. Obviously, I was wrong and to have this opportunity occur at this stage in my career is one I could not afford to pass on. I very much regret leaving Canada under these most unusual circumstances but at the same time, I am happy with what was accomplished and what is being left behind and certainly appreciate the CSA allowing me to be released from this agreement so that I can finish my career in the Premiership.”

The CSA granted Mr. Bate permission to be released from his contract at the request of Mr. Bate. The CSA expresses its disappointment with Mr. Bate’s decision but will now focus its attention toward finding a suitable candidate to lead the overall development and direction of the CSA’s technical programs – including player and coaching development, the direction and supervision of the National Training Centres and the National Youth Teams, both male and female. The search for Bate’s successor will commence immediately.