National Coaches Week: All in the Family

by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips

At the end of each Keyano Huskies men's soccer game this year, you will see three generations of the Brady clan on the soccer pitch.

Head coach Connor Brady, 31, assistant coach George Brady, 65 and running across the pitch to jump into their arms, the unofficial "No. 1 assistant coach", Liam Brady aged five.

For Keyano Huskies men's futsal/soccer head coach Connor Brady, the sport of soccer, be it outdoor or indoor (futsal), it is all about family.

In five short years, he has taken the program to national prominence with three appearances at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) men's soccer championships and an ACAC provincial soccer title last year.

He has guided the men's futsal team to four consecutive ACAC gold medals.

He has also earned personal accolades with various ACAC Soccer and Futsal Coach of the Year awards.

Not too bad for a kid who grew up in Fort McMurray along with his brother Rory and sister Shauna where soccer and Irish Dancing meshed into the household fabric .

"In our house you either did soccer or Irish Dancing," said Brady, 31, who moved to town with his family at the age of three from Edmonton, his brother and sister having been born in Dublin, Ireland.

His father George Brady was a leading voice in local youth soccer for decades and even now, relocated to Sherwood Park, is still coaching more 30 years later.

"I learned my coaching skills from my dad who is a very technical guy and talented coach. I had the luxury growing up and learning from him and other quality coaches."

A graduate of Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School, where he was a two-sport athlete with soccer under cleat and volleyball under sneaker, Connor played post-secondary soccer for the Keyano Huskies for two seasons and another for current arch rival NAIT Ooks in Edmonton.

Married to Kaitlin with sons Liam, 5, and Cillian, 18 months, Brady makes sure he has a proper balance as he reflects back on his own life growing up with the sport.

"Growing up soccer was everything. At times there was too much soccer and at times it became a wedge and it was a priority over everything. It was what we knew and were good at."

This is the first year that father George will be on the sidelines with his son for ACAC play...commuting from Edmonton for all home and away games.

"His game management is next to none," said Connor of his father George. "Also, I am a passionate guy and sometimes my passion overrides my character and his job is to make sure that I stay composed and that the lads stay composed.

"It means a lot to have him here as he taught me everything I know about the game. We have a special opportunity to do something big for our community. In my eyes my dad was the pioneer in soccer in Fort McMurray and sometimes I think he does not get the credit."

Connor says his son Liam is always the first to run out onto the field to celebrate with his dad and grandfather after games.

"For me it is real special...to spend time together with my father and son. Liam says he is my No. 1 assistant coach so myself and my dad make sure that we don't forget it."

George said he is honoured to be on the sidelines with his son: "I am very proud of his success to date. He has some unbelievable quality players and I am honoured that he asked me to help out this year. My role is a mentor...it is Connor's team....someone has to take the lead role and I stay in the background and focus more on the technical things. It has worked out very well."

Huskies will be hosting the 2016 CCAA Men's Soccer National Championships at Shell Place's SMS Equipment Stadium.

"I think this will be my dad's last year of coaching soccer and it would be nice to go out with a national championship."

Photo: George, Liam and Connor Brady (left to right). Three generations of soccer love.