2012 Media Kit

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Victoria Highlanders Football Club

Table of Contents

Start of Season Press Release …………………………………………………… 3

Victoria Highlanders’ Men’s Coaches ………….………………………………. 5-6

Victoria Highlanders PDL Men’s Roster ………….…………………………….. 7

Victoria Highlanders’ Women’s Coach …………………………………………. 8

Victoria Highlanders’ Women’s Key Players …………………………………… 9-10

Victoria Highlanders’ Director of Youth Development …………………………. 11

A message from Neil Sedgwick RE: Victoria Highlanders’ Academy ………...... 12-13

Contact Numbers …………………………………………………………………. 14

April 23, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bayview Place on board as presenting sponsor

VICTORIA– Victoria Highlanders FC announced today that Bayview Place, a 20-acre Hilltop Ocean View Community, located in Vic West, have generously come on board as a Presenting Sponsor. Bayview joins Coast Capital Savings, the Men’s Title Sponsor, and Peninsula Co-Op, the Women’s Title Sponsor in their efforts to work with the Highlanders to keep a high level of soccer here in Victoria. The highlanders are very pleased to have Coast Capital Savings renew their partnership for another 3 years as Title Sponsor for the Men’s PDL team. Coast Capital Savings came on as Title Sponsor 3 years ago and the partnership has played a significant role in keeping the PDL team in Victoria.

The Highlanders, now working out of an office at Team Sales at 468 Burnside Rd East have over 400 seasons tickets sold and with many of last years’ top players returning to the Men’s and Women’s rosters, are very excited about the upcoming season. Returning players on the Women’s side include Liz Hansen; top scorer last year, Mariel Solsberg, Jackie Harrison and goalkeeper Steph Parker. Head Coach Dave Dew had this to say “Our goals in the short term are for the Women’s team to remain competitive in the toughest division of the W-League and to play entertaining soccer. Last season we lost 5 games by only 1 goal. We proved we could compete with the very best”. New additions to the team include a National first team all-star and national championship MVP, a former U17 midfielder who has just completed her final season at NCAA Div 1 Gonzaga University, a former BC team standout who scored all 4 goals for Saanich Fusion Premier Women in the Provincial Cup first round against TSS Academy.

On the men’s side of things, “The PDL’s Northwest Division, is arguably the toughest division in the 4 conference, 9 division, 73 team League”, says Head Coach Ian Bridge. Bridge also added “The Last 2 PDL Champions have come from the Northwest Division, the Portland Timbers U-23s in 2010, and the Kitsap Pumas in 2011.” The Highlanders 2012 roster contains several members of last years' memorable squad, which qualified for post season Playoffs for the first time in Club history. Defensive anchor and Team Captain Tyler Hughes, 2011 top scorer Jordie Hughes, Offensive "magician" Ashley Burbeary (5 goals, 8 assists), Powerful target man Jared Stevens and Standout Goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou (4 shut-outs, 0.825 goals against/game). Both the men’s and women’s first teams will be training at Glenyon Norfolk School, who have recently partnered with the Victoria Highlanders.

All games for the men and women this year will be played at Royal Athletic Park in downtown Victoria. Both teams were happy with the change of venue last year and definitely feel the central location of the field exposes the teams to a greater audience. Several different vendors add to the park menu; PIG BBQ Joint being one of them. The ticket prices at the door have also been reduced and are now only $10 for adults and $5 for Youth 13-18 & Students with ID; kids 12 & under are free.

The first home game for the Men’s PDL league will be played Saturday May 12th, 2012, 7pm at RAP vs. The Sounders FC U23 team. Not only is this the season home opener for The Highlanders Men’s team; it is also going to be the venue for Simon Keith, the first athlete ever to have played professional sports after having undergone a heart transplant, and the number one overall pick in the 1989 professional soccer draft, to launch his new book “Heart for the Game”. Simon Keith will be there to greet fans and to autograph copies of his book and the Highlanders are very proud to be a part of the launch. The opening weekend proves to be a busy one as the W-League Women also have their first home game at 2pm on Sunday May 13th vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps. The men will also playing at 5pm on the 13th vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps, a MLS affiliated U-23 team. A fully charged, action-packed weekend of soccer that will be sure to fill the stands and give everyone their first glimpse at what should prove to be a great season of soccer in Victoria.

Season tickets are now available, offering purchasers ownership shares in the Club and access to both Men’s and Women’s games at Royal Athletic Park. Visit the team’s website at victoriahighlandersfc.com to view the latest updates for the upcoming 2012 season.

For further information contact: Alex Campbell Jr: Owner and President Victoria Highlanders FC 250-744-6429

Ian Bridge

Premier Development League Head Coach

Ian Bridge is a former member of the Canada men’s national soccer team and the last head coach of the women’s Under-17 national team.

Bridge began his pro career in 1977 and played in the NASL with the Seattle Sounders from 1979 to 1983 and with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1984, and MISL indoor soccer with the Tacoma Stars. Over 6 NASL seasons Bridge played in 124 games and scored 13 goals. Following the demise of the NASL, Bridge played for Swiss Club FC La Chaux-de-Fonds for five seasons when the club was in the Swiss league first division. Later in the Canadian Soccer League, Bridge played for the Victoria Vistas (1990), Kitchener Kickers (1991) and the North York Rockets (1991)

As for coaching, Bridge was head coach of the University of Victoria women’s soccer team from 1990 to 2000. He became assistant coach of the Canada women’s national soccer team in 1997, a position he held until 2008. Bridge also spent time as the U-19 national women’s coach and chief national team assistant coach in March of 2001. On January 10th, 2010, Bridge resigned as head coach of the U-17 Canadian women national team and has since become the PDL Head Coach. In his second season as Highlanders’ Head Coach, Bridge led the Highlanders to the PDL 2011 Playoffs for the first time in club history.

Recent International Achievements at FIFA Events:

• Head Coach for 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (Chile, 11th Place)

• Assistant Coach of 2008 Olympic Games (5th Place)

• Assistant Coach CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Games (qualifying 2nd place)

You can learn more about PDL Head Coach Ian Bridge, including his list of international achievements here: www.highlanderscoaches.blogspot.ca

Ian Bridge – PDL Head Coach

Steve Simonson

Highlanders Men’s League Head Coach & Prospects Coach

Steve Simonson came to the Highlanders from the Vancouver Whitecaps organization where he was both assistant coach of the Women’s W-League program as well as the Women’s Youth Development program. Before that, a multitude of successes at the provincial development level, including three third place finishes with Lower Vancouver Island Metro teams, led him to become the Head Coach and technical director of the Langley United Youth soccer association.

A variety of regional and national level development positions also served to add to Simonson’s experiences. One highlight includes partaking on the 2007 Women’s Olympic Development Team that beat the USA U-23 squad to capture the Futbol Internacional Tournament Championship. All this has culminated with Steve being appointed to be both an assistant coach and the director of youth development with the Victoria Highlanders Football Club.

Career Achievements include:

• Assistant Coach of Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women’s Team (2001-2003, 2005-2007)

• Whitecaps Head Coach and Women’s Youth Development (2006-2007)

You can learn more about the Victoria Highlanders, Men’s League Head Coach and Prospects Coach, Steve Simonson here: www.highlanderscoaches.blogspot.com

Steve Simonson – Men’s League

Head Coach & Prospects Coach

2012 Victoria Highlanders Premier Development League (PDL) Men’s Roster:

Sourosh Amani - NEW Connor Boag Ashley Burbeary Liam Davis – NEW

Bobby Eng Stephan Ewashko Craig Gorman Josh Heard Jordie Hughes Tyler Hughes Gareth Langdon Rab Bruce-Lockhart Thomas Mallette - NEW Matt Mehrassa - NEW James Merriman Elliot Mitrou Paddy Nelson - NEW Sasa Plavcic – NEW

Sam Prette Andrew Ravenhill Adam Ravenhill Brock Reid Kalem Scott Jared Stevens Craig Taylor

2012 PDL Men’s Staff:

Ian Bridge - Head Coach Neil Sedgwick - Assistant Coach Steve Simonson - Assistant Coach Bob Stankov - Goalkeeper Coach Tom Somner - Manager/Equipment Mgr Matt Arnett – Therapist

Dave Dew

Highlanders Women’s League Head Coach & Prospects

Coach

Dave Dew has a vast amount of soccer knowledge accumulated through both national and professional experiences. In addition to having been an Assistant Coach for the Canadian Women’s 1995 World Cup team, Dew was also the Head Coach for the Canadian National Women’s U-16 and U-17 teams during 2001 and 2002. From 2001 – 2003, Dave was the Head Coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Women’s division.

To top off his experiences, he has also had regional positions with the University of Victoria Vikes’, Gorge Soccer Association in Victoria, and Football Club Victoria. With over 4 decades of experience, Dave was selected in 2008 to be an assistant coach with the Victoria Highlanders Football Club.

Career Achievements include:

• Former Head Coach of Vancouver Whitecaps finishing 2nd in 2000 and 3rd in 2001 in Women’s League North American Championships (league record for three seasons of 33-2-3 winning three Western Conference Titles)

• University of Victoria Assistant Coach (2005 – Current) which includes a CIS National Championship in 2005.

You can learn more about Women’s League Head Coach and Prospects Coach, Dave Dew here: www.highlanderscoaches.blogspot.ca

Dave Dew – Women’s League

Head Coach & Prospects Coach

The 2012 Victoria Highlanders Women’s Roster has not been officially set however,

there are several players to watch for this season, including new talent.

Returning Highlanders:

• Liz Hansen: Top scorer for the Highlanders last year. Hansen has played 5 years at UVIC for the Vikes and led them to a National Championship in 2005. Hansen played professionally in England for the Doncaster Belles.

• Steph Parker: Parker will be returning as goalkeeper for the 2012 season. She has been a standout player for the UVIC Vikes for four years and was vital in a number of games last season.

• Mariel Solsberg: Solsbery is a quick winger that played for the UVIC Vikes during the National Championship in 1995 and also played professionally in Denmark.

New to the Highlanders this season:

• Kelsey Tikka: Joins the Highlanders from Laurier University. In 2010 Tikka was CIS rookie of the year, National First team All-star, and MVP at National Championships. In 2011, Tikka was again a CIS National All-star defender.

• Megan Webster: Webster was the Captain of the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) for 5 years and at the 2010 CIS National Championships led UFV to their first ever National bronze medal.

• Lindsay Hoetzel: Hoetzel plays striker with the UVIC Vikes and is one of the most exciting players in CIS Canada West. When Hoetzel attacks players with the ball you are guaranteed to see something special.

Women’s Team Staff

David Dew – Women’s W League Head Coach & Prospect Coach

John Leir-Women’s W league Assistant Coach

Carlos Almeida- W league Team Assistant Coach

Katie Pyne-Physical therapist and W League Manager

Rick Zaharia-Women’s Reserve Team Head Coach

Mark Bell-Voluntter Assistant Coach Womens Program

Bud Livingston-Women’s Reserve Team Manager

Neil Sedgwick

Director of Youth Development

After spending the last eleven years coaching in the NCAA Division 1 and ll, Sedgwick return to Vancouver Island to take on the position of PDL Assistant Coach and the Director of Youth Development. Sedgwick has spent the past seven years as head coach of the University of Montana women’s soccer program, leading the club to the Big Sky Conference tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Prior to this, Sedgwick spent two years at the University of North Dakota as the Head Coach, then three years as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Southern California

While in the US, Sedgwick added United States Soccer Federation (USSF) ‘A’ license certification to the Canadian Soccer Association ‘A’n license and level five certification. He then went on to coach at the Olympic Development Program level in both Southern California and Montana and was called upon by North Dakota, California and Montana to be a part of their coach education programs.

Career Achievements include:

• University of Montana Head Coach, 2004-2011

• University of Southern California Associate Head Coach, 2001-2004

• University of North Dakota Head Coach, 1999-2001

• Pan Am Games Women’s Assistant Coach, 1990

You can learn more about the Director of Youth Development, Neil Sedgwick here: www.highlanderscoaches.blogspot.ca

Neil Sedgwick

Director of Youth Development

Highlanders’ Youth Development Programs Begin to Leave Mark on Soccer

Community

Less than two years into the launch of the Academy in September 2010, the player base has risen from 50 to 150. Add in the full time Highlanders Prospects (U17-U18), and the numbers are closer to 200. The growth has been staggering, as has the development on the field. Players are graduating into college teams, receiving interest from Professional Teams in England and in the MLS. They are also being asked to join BCSPL Teams and especially important to our development structure within the Highlanders, players are graduating into our Prospects programs from the Academy and into our PDL/W-League teams. Coach Ian Bridge says, “I can see 4 or 5 more of the Prospects players playing significant roles – as Josh Heard did last year – for our PDL team this summer.”

With the launch of the Spring Development Teams Program, the Highlanders have now taken the next step in player development which includes multiple training sessions per week and competitions to test the progress of the players. Youth Development Director, Neil Sedgwick, speaks to the new program, “With much of club soccer finished for the year, we find ourselves in a position where we can more than double our contacts with the players in our programs. We have seen great progress with once per week training, but this will give us the opportunity to implement our long term development model at a greater level. The habits we promote weekly can be nurtured through twice per week training, and two sessions per week provide a solid platform for growth.”

With an Academy that saw numbers on the boys side remain solid throughout the past three phases (Spring and Fall 2011, Winter 2012), the numbers on the girls side have seen exceptional growth from 18 (including 9 goalkeepers) in the Spring of 2011, to 31 in the Fall, then the numbers shot up to 54 in the Winter of 2012. The growth continues with close to 70 boys and 70 girls registered for the spring program.

The teams will play locally, on the mainland, and in a tournament in Washington. “Each of these games are tests, or examinations, of what we have done in training.” Sedgwick added, “As a staff we want to continue to keep our focus on developing the Habits which will bring the players greater success down the road regardless of training session or game.”

With an eye to the future, the Youth Development Director spoke to a group of over 100 at their Development Team Information meeting and reviewed the evolution from Academy, now Development Teams, and the soon to be launched Club Prospects, where aspiring club players are able to train with the Highlanders on a weekly basis throughout the year. “The objective of our youth development program is to increase the base of players receiving high performance coaching in order to improve the level of play in all environments on Vancouver Island.” Sedgwick went on to say that the community that grows the game and develops top players will be one that includes BCSPL, the Highlanders and club soccer. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it will take a community working together to nurture soccer talent; to create a soccer hotbed here on Vancouver Island”.

Neil Sedgwick Director of Youth Development Victoria Highlanders FC

2012 Victoria Highlanders Contacts

All Victoria Highlander Coaches including Alex Campbell Jr (owner of the Victoria

Highlanders) are available for interviews. You can find their contact details below:

Ian Bridge – PDL Head Coach – P. 250 818 2280, E. ianbridge59@gmail.com David Dew – W-League Head Coach – P. 250 889 8039, E. daviddew@shaw.ca Steve Simonson – Reserves Coach – P. 250 889 8036, E. ssimonson@victoriahighlandersfc.com Neil Sedgwick – Director of Youth Development – P. 250 889 8016, E. neilsedgwick@gmail.com Alex Campbell Jr – Owner & President – P. 250 744 5429, E. alexcampbell@shaw.ca

For game day operations:

Kyle Bridge – Game Day Operations – P. 250 213 6453, E. kylebridge@hotmail.com

For Sales and Marketing:

Keith Dagg – P. 250 888 0915, E. keith@keithdaggconsulting.ca

For Media Advertising and Promotions:

Mitch Hawes – Media Relations – P. 250 216 7721, E. mitch.hawes@gmail.com

For general information:

Victoria Highlanders Football Club Office – P. 250 590 8432

Additional information can be found at:

www.victoriahighlandersfc.com

Victoria Highlanders FC

@HighlandersFC