February 14, 2010

4th Annual National Capital Coaching Weekend and Conference

RELEASE - Four of Canada's top soccer minds will be in Ottawa March 5-7 to share their knowledge and skills with Ottawa's soccer coaches, and to share their vision for the future of Canadian soccer with the head coaches and technical directors of Ottawa's soccer clubs.

The four Canadian Soccer Association coaches – Stephen Hart, Head Coach of the Men's National Team; Ray Clark, Director of Coaching and Player Development; Dave Benning, Manager of Technical Programs; and Tony Fonseca, National Staff Coach and Head Coach of the U-20 Men's National Team – will participate in the 4th Annual National Capital Coaching Weekend and Conference, jointly sponsored by the Eastern Ontario & District Soccer Association and the Nepean Hotspurs Soccer Club.

This year's event is being held in conjunction with celebrations to honour the Nepean Hotspurs Soccer Club's 40th anniversary. “This is the fourth year in a row that Nepean Hotspurs Soccer Club, with support from EODSA, is organizing a soccer clinic in the national capital run by the top Canadian soccer coaches. We are extremely pleased to have another opportunity to see our country's top coaches work,” said CSA "A" Licensed coach Boris Bajagic, Club Head Coach of the Nepean Hotspurs Soccer Club.

The CSA coaches will conduct technical sessions in the Ben Franklin Superdome (Greenbank & Hunt Club) on Friday evening (6:00-10:00 p.m.) and Saturday afternoon (noon-4:00 p.m.) with top players from the Ottawa area. These sessions are open to all Ottawa soccer coaches, free of charge, and a good turnout is expected as clubs are actively encouraging their coaches to attend this important educational opportunity.

The CSA coaches will also meet on Sunday, March 7th with top technical leaders in the Ottawa soccer community to discuss the Canadian Soccer Association's long-term plans for the sport, and how Ottawa clubs can contribute to the future success of our National Team programs.

There will be extensive opportunities for strong visuals (both stills and action) during the on-field sessions on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, and interviews may be arranged with the CSA officials, subject to their availability.