News Feed
Oxer tabbed to coach Broncos futsal teams; plan for outdoor soccer
OLDS, AB - Mark Oxer has big plans for the sport of soccer at Olds College and can’t wait for the beautiful game to be showcased locally at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference level.
The most recent addition to the Broncos Athletics coaching staff believes having the ability to shape the established ACAC futsal program and the proposed ACAC soccer program (pending conference board approval in May) into his vision was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“I’m really excited about the program and about it potentially going into the ACAC,” explained Oxer, who’s been on the job for just over a week at the Ralph Klein Centre. “I have the opportunity to build a program which is really exciting for me. My goal has been to coach a college or university team because I really enjoy being in the academic environment.”
The landscape of ACAC soccer and futsal is nothing new to Oxer. He was previously the head coach of the Keyano College Huskies women’s soccer team in 2008 and 2009, and while there also helped shape the futsal format that the ACAC eventually adopted for the official FIFA-sanctioned indoor version of the world’s most popular sport.
Oxer has already taken up the helm of coaching the Broncos men’s and women’s futsal teams as they prepare for the upcoming tournament season. He’s busy prepping his charges for the January 20-21 preseason tourney in Three Hills, which is followed by the first of two ACAC tournament dates the following weekend back in his old stomping grounds at Keyano in Fort McMurray.
“That will be a lot of fun for me. I left on good terms and have nothing but good things to say about Keyano, but I hope we can go up there and get a few wins.”
After leaving Keyano, Oxer finished his degree at the University of Winnipeg in Sports Coaching while also working at the University of Manitoba as an assistant coach on the women’s soccer team that competes in the CIS. He also coached a men’s team to the Manitoba Major Soccer League championship before leaving to pursue his Master’s Degree in the UK at the University of Worcester.
Oxer will finish up his Master’s Degree long distance while performing his duties for the Broncos, which will also include recruiting athletes for a potential 2012 start to the soccer program if the OC proposal is given the nod by the ACAC.
He thinks the combination of soccer in the autumn followed by futsal in the winter could be enticing for some potential recruits, as is the notion of playing in a quality college league that sees its champion as a medal threat at the Canadian championships year after year.
“That’s one of the big selling points … that you have a shot at nationals,” Oxer explained. “Plus, (ACAC) is the only college conference in the country that plays futsal.”
Olds College Director of Health and Wellness Greg Lendvay said he is excited about the experience and background Oxer brings not only to the existing Broncos futsal teams and the proposed outdoor soccer program, but the possibilities for working with the community soccer programs to enhance what is offered to young players locally.
“We see this as a real chance to not only provide an opportunity for high level soccer and futsal at Olds College, but to help grow the sport even more in the rural areas of Central Alberta.”
For more information contact:
Mark Oxer, Women’s/Men’s Futsal Coach
403-507-4763
