Coach Development & Mentorship "The Foothills Way"

Passion. Personality. Purpose. These three words are commonly used when describing the ideal Calgary Foothills Coach. Our coaches are a big reason for our Club’s success. We recognize their commitment and invest in their development as much as we do our players’.

Our Coach Development and Mentorship mission is to create an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment that empowers our coaches to thrive in their roles. By doing so, they can enrich the overall experience for our players, staff, and volunteers.

Talk about PERSONALITY! Coach Julian Munoz of the Foothills 2013 Girls Team Takes a Post-Tournament Dip!

Graphic with green and yellow comic-style design featuring the words ‘Did You Know?’ used by Calgary Foothills Soccer Club for fun fact highlights.

Foothills’ Coaches receive full funding for licensing and professional development. Foothills supports women in coaching through the Telus She CAN coach program.

December 14, 2025 - Holiday Tournament and Social for Foothills Coaches

Get ready to kick off the holiday festivities with an exhilarating soccer tournament that promises excitement, friendly competition, and camaraderie. Join fellow coaches in showcasing your skills, strategizing on the field, and enjoying the beautiful game we all love. 

Following the tournament, let’s continue the celebration at our festive social gathering. Indulge in delicious refreshments, share laughter, and strengthen bonds as we celebrate the successes of the year gone by and toast to the promising opportunities ahead. 

"I played soccer all of my life, but when I decided to coach my daughter's team, I was not at all confident in my coaching abilities. The Foothills Coach education program gave me the resources and tools I needed to become a more self-assured and informed coach. It has made all the difference."
Jill Jenkinson
WFC2011 Green Coach

Our Coach Development Program

Foothills provides FREE coach education for all U4-U18 assistant and head coaches. We offer education in line with the current Canada Soccer Association Community Stream:

  • Active Start (U4-U6 Coaches) – Provides a basic understanding of physical literacy
  • Fundamentals (U6-U8 Coaches) – Develops the basic understanding of physical literacy following the Canada Soccer Long-term Player Development model.
  • Learning to Train (U9-U12 Coaches) – Focuses on understanding the development stages of the players they are working with. 
  • Soccer for Life (U13+ Coaches) – Covers how to effectively plan and run technical and tactical development sessions, considering the player’s development stage.

 

All Youth Club coaches are certified. Our coaches invest in us, and we invest in them. Tier 1-3 coaches put in 252 hours per year, and out Tier 4-6 coaches put in 108 hours per year. To help them develop, we provide them with formal coaching clinics and pay the costs of their certifications. We also host regular in-house education sessions specific to the Foothills Way, looking at areas such as how to manage a practice, best practices for players within their respective phases of development, and how to maximize the players’ training time. 

Canada Soccer CMSA Coaching Standards chart outlining required and recommended coach education by age group, including Respect in Sport, NCCP Certification, and Canada Soccer Coach Education Program levels.
"The Club's coach education program is the next step for the coach who wants to improve, progress, and be self-aware of their coaching styles. The program helps us re-assess and identify improvement areas and then put a plan in place. It is good for the new coach, but also helps to refine more experienced coaches looking to gain further knowledge to better lead out young players."
Scottie Richie
Head Coach - FC 2012

Soccer Coach Stephanie Colvin coaches our U10 APDL Girls team along with Luis Tinoco. She attended our April 2024 Coaches Workshop and took a minute to share with our roving reporter some of the things she likes best.

Thanks, Stephanie!

ProSoccerData for Coaches

Currently, all coaches from U11 up participate in our ProSoccerData program. Foothills is the only Calgary-based Club using this specialized app to develop our coaches and players.

ProSoccerData is an online management platform enabling clubs, federations, and leagues to operate with higher efficiency and maximize individual development. Leading professional clubs, including Seattle Sounders FCRsc AnderlechtFC MetzKF Kortrijk and Ajax AFC use this tool.

Screenshot of the ProSoccerData platform showing player performance analytics and growth metrics used by Calgary Foothills Soccer Club for coach and player development.
Screenshot of the ProSoccerData platform showing player performance analytics and growth metrics used by Calgary Foothills Soccer Club for coach and player development.

The program includes a series of meetings and training individualized for each coach and their team. It establishes the responsibilities of head and assistant coaches and formalizes team and player decision-making. 

In short, ProSoccerData helps coaches focus on answering the question, “What does the team need from a game and player point of view.”

We Are Expanding Our Coaching Family

Are you passionate about soccer and love sharing your expertise with enthusiastic players? We’re on the hunt for dedicated coaches to join our Club!

Whether you’re an experienced professional or a recreational soccer enthusiast, we welcome coaches of all levels. 

Make a Difference. Inspire and nurture the next generation of soccer stars while promoting teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. 

Grow Your Skills. Enhance your coaching abilities through workshops and opportunities for professional development. 

Enrich Your Life. Experience the joy of guiding young players to learn, develop skills, and become outstanding individuals.

Calgary Foothills Soccer Club coach interacting with young players during practice, promoting teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Text invites new coaches to join the Foothills coaching team.
Quote graphic featuring Magic Johnson’s words: ‘All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them,’ displayed with the Calgary Foothills Soccer Club branding.

What Makes A Great Coach?

It’s simple. We are looking for individuals who will help us instill a life-long love of soccer. A coach is arguably the most important component to doing that. 

To become a Grassroots level coach, you do not need soccer experience! Our Coach Development and Mentorship can teach you what you need to know. 

However, you must be: 

  • Enthusiastic.
  • Hard working and have a sense of fair play.
  • Willing to learn and improve. 

For experienced coaches, valid coaching certification and a proven track record of coaching excellence are required. 

If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Foothills family and become part of a close-knit community of coaches. 

Please note, the safety and security of our players is a top priority. All of our coaches must pass a Calgary Police Information Check.

Our mission is to make soccer a fun and rewarding experience for all players of all abilities.

Apply Now To Become A Foothills Coach

If you’re ready to start coaching with the Foothills soccer family, we want to hear from you! Please send a brief introduction to colin@gofoothills.ca. Let us know which age groups you prefer coaching, and we’ll be in touch! 

Together, we can build a thriving soccer community and create lasting memories on and off the pitch. 

Calgary Foothills Soccer Club Mandate graphic highlighting the club’s commitment to creating a culture that ensures a memorable experience, develops excellent players and outstanding people, and promotes soccer for all abilities.

Outdoor Registration is Now Open

Registration for our highly anticipated outdoor 2026 program is now open. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to showcase your skills or a newcomer eager to experience soccer for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to become a part of the Foothills Family!

Indoor Registration
Now Open!

Registration for our highly anticipated indoor program is now open. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to showcase your skills or a newcomer eager to experience soccer for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to become a part of the Foothills Family!