Axemen Soccer Club offers unique opportunity

BY JOHN DECOSTE

jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Soccer coaches in the Valley will have a unique opportunity this weekend in Wolfville when the Axemen Soccer Supporters Club presents a coaching clinic featuring well-known soccer coach, journalist and broadcaster Dick Howard.

On Friday, May 9, from 7-9 p.m., there will be an evening presentation in the Wolfville Room, Acadia Arena complex, for coaches entitled, ‘The World of Soccer’, which is free for any participant in the coaching clinic. Otherwise, the cost is $25.

On Saturday, May 10, Howard will conduct a morning practical session entitled, ‘The Numbers Game: It’s Goals that Count’ from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After lunch, from 1-2 p.m., the afternoon practical session (2-5 p.m.) is entitled, ‘#1 Matters’, which will include an opportunity for any participating coaches to ask questions.

In addition to an extensive coaching career at all levels of the game, Howard, who was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002 as a builder, is recognized internationally as a World Cup soccer journalist and broadcaster.

He first broadcast the World Cup in 1978 and, at the close of the 2006 tournament, had covered over 300 games in five World Cups as a studio analyst for TSN, was an onsite reporter for Euro 1996 and 2000 and a studio analyst for Euro 2004.

Howard played competitive soccer from 1965-1976, starting with the Chester FC in England, continuing with pro teams in Hamilton, Detroit, Rochester and Toronto and concluding with the Boston Minutemen of the North American Soccer League.

A goalkeeper, he was selected an all-star for all of the leagues in which he played and represented Canada in the qualifying rounds for the 1974 World Cup.

Howard has coached the Canadian U-16 and U-20 national teams as well as Canada’s World Cup team in 1981 when our country’s team came within one goal of qualifying for the World Cup final in Spain. He was also Canada’s first national goalkeeping coach.

As Technical Director for the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) from 1986-1992, Howard was instrumental in developing the mini-soccer manual and for the implementation of the unique Soccer 2000 concept across Canada.

The most experienced FIFA coaching instructor in North America, Howard has conducted more than 50 FIFA projects in 30 countries around the world since 1988.

He has also been a member of the prestigious FIFA Technical Study Group at three world U-20 championships as well as the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

He was appointed to the FIFA Technical and Development Committee in 1998 and is currently chairman of the CONCACAF Coaching Committee.

Anyone interested in this unique opportunity is invited to pre-register by contacting Julie MacRae at (902) 679-5458 or by e-mail at juliemacrae@ns.sympatico.ca.