#CoachesWeek
This National Coaches Week, Canada Soccer proudly celebrates the people at the heart of the game: our coaches and coach developers. Their dedication, passion, and leadership are the driving force behind the growth of soccer across the country.
“Coaching is the multiplier of soccer in Canada—one coach’s investment in players creates ripples that shape the sport’s culture. To truly grow the game, we must grow the number and quality of coaches. Investing in coaching education, resources, and support not only develops players, but also strengthens pathways, expands opportunities, and builds a sustainable future for soccer in Canada.”
– Alex Valerio, Manager of Club Licensing at Canada Soccer
From grassroots to the highest levels of competition, coaches are more than teachers of skills—they are mentors, motivators, and role models.
“Coaches change lives and it must be for the better. During National Coaches Week, we celebrate and thank those coaches positively impacting their clubs, communities and ultimately their country. Without you, sport, and in our case soccer, could not exist.”
– Jim Loughlin, Manager of Coach Education, Research and Development at Canada Soccer
That impact begins at the youngest ages. “At Canada Soccer, particularly at the grassroots level, we recognize that volunteer coaches are the heartbeat of our sport. They spark a lifelong love of sport by creating positive, safe, and engaging experiences. These early experiences often define a child’s relationship with the game for years to come.”
– Wayne Cleverly, Grassroots Manager at Canada Soccer
To support these vital volunteers, Canada Soccer continues to invest in education tailored to all stages of player development. Courses such as the Children’s Diploma provide practical tools and child-centered approaches, while advanced certifications like the B Diploma empower coaches to deepen their craft.
“(The B Diploma) reshaped my coaching practices, strengthened my skills, and deepened my understanding of how to build relationships with players. The coach developers created an environment where I felt supported and challenged, and their investment in my growth allowed me to invest even more in the development of my players.”
– Rick Rosemin, a B Diploma candidate from Ontario
Behind every coach is also a network of coach developers who are leaders that inspire others to grow.
“Transformational coaching is about more than performance; it’s about the people we become and help to nurture. Coaches have the power to unlock growth on and off the pitch, and with supportive, knowledgeable, and invested coach developers, we can help shape generations to come.”
– Jordan Stewart, a coach developer in Alberta
The message is clear: to strengthen Canadian soccer, investment in coaching is essential.
“We pour immense resources into areas that yield marginal returns while overlooking the single most powerful catalyst for growth in soccer: our coaches. The secret to long-term, systemic improvement isn’t complicated. To raise the bar for every player in the country, we must first invest in the people who guide them.”
– Mike Whyatt, Manager of Coach Education, Member Services at Canada Soccer
This week, and every week, Canada Soccer thanks all the coaches and coach developers who give so much of themselves to the game. Their influence extends far beyond the pitch, shaping not just players, but people, communities, and the future of soccer in Canada.
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