2025 ACAC Men's Futsal Coaches of The Year
Edmonton, AB (March 8, 2025) –
North Male Coach of the Year | NIELS SLOTBOOM | Keyano Huskies:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Niels Slotboom of the Keyano College Huskies has been named the 2025 ACAC Men’s Futsal North Division Coach of the Year.
Slotboom guided the Men’s Futsal Huskies to a 6-3-1 record during the regular season, going undefeated in their last seven games to secure the second-place position in the ACAC’s North Division. During his tenure with the Keyano Huskies Futsal teams, which included three seasons as the Women’s Futsal Head Coach, Slotboom has compiled a 37-9-2 record in the regular season.
At the ACAC Futsal Championship level, he’s coached the Huskies to three ACAC Championships, including both ACAC titles in 2023 and the Men’s title in 2024. He’s also earned a single ACAC Silver and Bronze medal, both on the Women’s side of the competition. Last season, Slotboom was recognized as the ACAC North Division Coach of the Year in both Men’s and Women’s Futsal following perfect 10-0-0 regular seasons from both teams.
"Coach Slotboom’s dedication, leadership, and tactical expertise have been instrumental in the remarkable success of our Men’s Futsal program,” said Jonathan Lambert, Keyano College’s Director, Athletics & Recreation. “His ability to cultivate a culture of excellence, teamwork, and continuous development has not only strengthened our team’s performance on the court but has also positively impacted the personal growth of our student-athletes.”
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Men’s Futsal Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Sask.
South Male Coach of the Year | DAMIR OMEROVIC | Medicine Hat Rattlers:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Damir Omerovic of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers has been named the 2025 ACAC South Male Futsal Coach of the Year.
Originally from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Damir Omerovic has been a part of the Rattlers program for years, first as a student-athlete and now as a coach. He played three seasons of soccer at Medicine Hat College before graduating in 2008. His playing career began long before that, as he competed in his country’s youth professional league from a young age, making his professional debut at just 15 years old. After moving to Canada in 2001, Omerovic transitioned into coaching, accumulating over a decade of experience working with various age groups from U12 to U18.
Since joining the Rattlers coaching staff in 2022-23, Omerovic has played a key role in developing both the men’s and women’s futsal programs. In his first season, he led the women’s futsal team to the ACAC playoffs, and in 2023-24, he guided the men’s futsal team to an ACAC silver medal. His impact extends beyond the college level, having coached the U15 Rattlers Academy team to an Alberta Provincial Championship gold medal in 2022 and the U17 Rattlers Academy team to an ASA Provincial Championship gold medal in 2024.
Omerovic’s dedication to player development and tactical expertise has made him a valuable leader for the Rattlers, and his contributions continue to strengthen the program.
Terry Ballard, Medicine Hat College Sport and Wellness Manager, said, "Damir is a Rattlers soccer alumnus who works tirelessly with both the men’ and women’s soccer/futsal programs to build the best possible teams that he can. He cares deeply for all his student-athletes and works to put each of them in a position for them to have success. Damir is a great team builder and developer of talent, and it shows by the results of the Rattlers Men’s Futsal program this year capturing first place in the South. Congratulations Damir, a well deserved award and we are all proud of you.”
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024-25 ACAC Male Futsal Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, AB.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca