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New Soccer Coach Hired for Dynamic Soccer Partnership
06/25/2009
(June 12, 2009–Lloydminster, Alta.) Lakeland College, Meridian Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and the Saskatchewan Soccer Association has announced the hiring of Mick Gale as soccer coach/technical director into a newly created position aimed to enhance the sport at all levels required by the three partners.
Gale, a native of London, England, officially begins his position June 15, 2009. Gale is a newcomer to Canada and has extensive professional experience in soccer (football) with the English Football Association (FA) most recently serving as the Southwest Center of Excellence performance development director for the FA since 2005. Previously, he served as the Score UK Soccer managing director for England/North America from 1998 to 2005 and community development officer for the Fulham Football Club from 1990 to 1998. His international experience (outside of North America) includes work in Tanzania, Zambia and New Zealand. His personal playing career involved six years with three clubs in England – Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Fulham from 1959 to 1965.
“Gale will help us with a huge challenge as he works to launch an intercollegiate-level men’s and women’s soccer program at Lakeland that will be part of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC),” says Aaron Rawlake, Lakeland College athletic director. “The program will start with an exhibition schedule this fall with the intent of competing in the full ACAC soccer schedule in 2010.”
“As the technical director for Meridian Youth Soccer,” says Tonia Wall, MYSA president. “Mick will be responsible instituting, implementing, and operating systems of progressive skill development for MYSA players as well as developing coaches and MYSA referees.”
Boyd Clark, Saskatchewan Soccer Association’s executive director, adds, “Saskatchewan Soccer Association is extremely excited by the partnership. Mick will represent our association in supporting key community partners and stakeholders with a view to developing resources required locally to meet the targeted needs for athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators.
The addition of soccer and futsal to Lakeland College’s athletics program rounds out its current offerings of curling, basketball, rodeo, rowing, volleyball and, new this fall, cross-country running.
Photo (left to right): Tonia Wall, MYSA president, Mick Gale, Boyd Clark, SSA executive director, and Aaron Rawlake, Lakeland College athletic supervisor.
For more information, contact:
Aaron Rawlake
Athletics director
Lakeland College
780 871 5538
e-mail: aaron.rawlake@lakelandcollege.ca
