Canada’s Men’s World Cup Soccer Coach to mentor local Edmonton players

Ottawa, Ontario – Prior to joining the National team in Vancouver to make final preparations for the August 18th World Cup Qualifying match against Guatemala at Swangard Stadium, Canadian Men’s World Cup team head coach Frank Yallop will be making a pit stop in Edmonton on August 10th. At noon on Tuesday, several local teams, comprised of highly skilled young soccer players, will have the rare opportunity to work with Frank Yallop in a skills camp. This session is designed to allow Yallop to reach out to Edmonton’s grass roots level of aspiring future stars and share his experiences and insight.
“The value of an event like this cannot be overstated. Since there are very few nations in which this kind of access to the experience of a National Soccer Coach is offered, this unique opportunity will be cherished by all the players and coaches who participate. An excellent Canadian role model, being a former Canadian Men’s World Cup player, Frank Yallop represents the future for these young players and certainly offers ample inspiration to fulfil their ambitions.” said Liz Ferguson, Executive Director, Alberta Soccer Association.
The event will be hosted at the Edmonton Soccer Association Complex which is located at 14920 – 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6V 1H9. The facility has a number of full-sized outdoor fields and a Clubhouse with dressing rooms, concessions and lounge facilities on site. More information is available at:
http://www.edsoccercentres.com/locations/complex.html

Ottawa, Ontario – Prior to joining the National team in Vancouver to make final preparations for the August 18th World Cup Qualifying match against Guatemala at Swangard Stadium, Canadian Men’s World Cup team head coach Frank Yallop will be making a pit stop in Edmonton on August 10th. At noon on Tuesday, several local teams, comprised of highly skilled young soccer players, will have the rare opportunity to work with Frank Yallop in a skills camp. This session is designed to allow Yallop to reach out to Edmonton’s grass roots level of aspiring future stars and share his experiences and insight.
“The value of an event like this cannot be overstated. Since there are very few nations in which this kind of access to the experience of a National Soccer Coach is offered, this unique opportunity will be cherished by all the players and coaches who participate. An excellent Canadian role model, being a former Canadian Men’s World Cup player, Frank Yallop represents the future for these young players and certainly offers ample inspiration to fulfil their ambitions.” said Liz Ferguson, Executive Director, Alberta Soccer Association.
The event will be hosted at the Edmonton Soccer Association Complex which is located at 14920 – 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6V 1H9. The facility has a number of full-sized outdoor fields and a Clubhouse with dressing rooms, concessions and lounge facilities on site. More information is available at:
http://www.edsoccercentres.com/locations/complex.html
The event schedule is as follows:
August 10, 2004 – Edmonton, AB
12:00 Noon to 1:00 PMtSkills Camp and Player Session
1:00 PM to 2:00 PMtMedia Access to Frank Yallop and Participants
A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Members of the Canadian Soccer Association’s Local Organizing Committee will also be in attendance to provide additional event background information.
Backgrounder on Coach Frank Yallop
Canada’s Men’s World Cup team entered 2004 with great enthusiasm at the prospect of a World Cup Qualifying year and playing games at home for the first time since 2000. Contributing to this optimism was the announcement of new head coach, Frank Yallop, who took over the reins on January 1st. Coach Yallop had just concluded a successful season in Major League Soccer, having led the San Jose Earthquakes to their second MLS Championship in his three-year tenure. He was hired as head coach of the Earthquakes in February, 2001 and took them from a league worst 7-17-8 record in 2000 to a 13-7-6 record and the MLS championship in 2001. For his efforts, Yallop was named the 2001 MLS Coach of the Year.
Yallop’s playing career spanned nearly 20 years both in England and the United States. A gritty and tough defender, he made 376 appearances and scored nine goals with Ipswich Town FC in England. Yallop enjoyed an excellent international career earning 52 caps and was a stalwart on the Canadian defence throughout the Nineties. He made his debut against Mexico on May 13, 1990 and then appeared in every match he was available for from his debut through to his final game against Costa Rica in 1997.
Backgrounder on the CONCACAF 2006 World Cup Qualifying Game
Commonwealth Stadium will host the second of six all-important games for Canada in the CONCACAF 2006 World Cup Qualifying semi-final round as they take on Honduras. Last time a national soccer team came to Edmonton, a city that boasts many passionate soccer fans, Commonwealth Stadium attracted almost 30,000 fans. It appears this game will be no different. “We are very excited to be returning to Edmonton,” said Kevan Pipe, the Canadian Soccer Association’s Chief Operating Officer. “The support local soccer fans give our players is outstanding. We are very fortunate to have such fantastic fans and supportive sponsors. They have played and will continue to play a huge role in propelling our athletes to new heights.”
Tickets for the game range from $19.00 – $39.00 for reserved seating and $8.00 for general admission seating. Reserved seating tickets are on sale on at all Ticketmaster outlets in Canada and can be charged by phone (780-451-8000) or online at: www.ticketmaster.ca.

Tickets for general seating are available by calling (780) 471-0889 or at: worldcupqualifier@albertasoccer.com.
Additional information on Canada’s Men’s World Cup qualifying campaign is located at: migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io/eng/nationals/m_wc/index.asp