Develop as a Coach or Trainer "The Foothills Way"
Foothills does more than develop players. We help coaches and trainers grow through education, mentorship, practical experience and clear opportunities to take on greater responsibility.
Whether you are a parent coaching for the first time, an experienced coach pursuing further licensing or a trainer interested in player development, you will be supported by knowledgeable colleagues, proven resources and one of Canada’s leading youth soccer environments.
Talk about PERSONALITY! Coach Julian Munoz of the Foothills 2013 Girls Team Takes a Post-Tournament Dip!
Foothills’ Coaches receive full funding for licensing and professional development.
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.
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.
Become a Foothills Coach or Trainer
Are you passionate about soccer and love sharing your expertise with enthusiastic players? We’re on the hunt for dedicated team members to join our Club!
Whether you’re an experienced professional or a recreational soccer enthusiast, we welcome individuals 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 abilities through workshops and professional development opportunities.
Enrich Your Life. Experience the joy of guiding young players to learn, develop skills, and become outstanding individuals.
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 FC, Rsc Anderlecht, FC Metz, KF Kortrijk and Ajax AFC use this tool.
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.”
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!
FAQ
Not necessarily. Many volunteer coaches begin as parents or community members with little or no formal coaching experience. What matters most is a willingness to learn, create a positive environment and help young players develop. Foothills provides education, resources and ongoing support to help new coaches succeed.
A coach is primarily responsible for leading a team, including training sessions, matches, player development and team communication. A trainer typically focuses on technical or individual player development through academies, skills programs, camps and supplemental training. Both roles contribute to the Foothills player-development pathway.
Yes. Volunteer coaches play an essential role in many of our programs, particularly at the grassroots level. Foothills also offers paid coaching and training opportunities based on program needs, experience, qualifications and availability.
Volunteer coaches have access to age-appropriate curriculum, session plans, practical resources, coach education and guidance from experienced Foothills staff. Eligible head and assistant coaches may also receive support in completing required coaching courses.
Yes. Foothills supports continued coach education and may provide assistance with Canada Soccer licensing and other professional-development opportunities. The support available depends on the coach’s role, development plan and the needs of the club.
Requirements vary by role and age group. Relevant playing or coaching experience, appropriate Canada Soccer licensing and a commitment to continued professional development may be required. Foothills works with applicants to identify opportunities that fit their current experience and future goals.
Foothills offers opportunities across its player-development pathway:
- Grassroots Phase: U4–U8
- Foundation Phase: U9–U12
- Development Phase: U13–U15
- Generation Phase: U16 and older
The club considers your experience, qualifications, interests and development goals when determining the most suitable placement.
Mentorship may include guidance from phase leads and experienced colleagues, access to shared curriculum, session observations, feedback and conversations about individual development goals. The objective is to help every coach continually improve while delivering a consistent experience for players.
Coaches and trainers working with young players must complete the screening and onboarding requirements that apply to their roles. These may include a police information or vulnerable sector check, Safe Sport education and other club or governing-body requirements.
The commitment depends on the program and age group. It may include weekly training sessions, games and occasional team communication or planning. Foothills will explain the expected schedule before you accept a position so you can determine whether it fits your availability.
Yes. Volunteer coaching can be the beginning of a longer development pathway. Coaches who demonstrate commitment, continue their education and gain experience may be considered for paid coaching, training or leadership opportunities as they become available.
Yes. Coaching opportunities are open to parents, former players, students, experienced coaches and other members of the community who share the club’s commitment to positive player development.
Yes. Foothills welcomes more women and former players into coaching and training roles. Their experiences and perspectives strengthen the environment for players and help develop the next generation of leaders in the game.
Complete the coaching application or expression-of-interest form on this page, or contact Foothills at admin@gofoothills.ca. Tell us about your experience, qualifications, availability and the age groups or roles that interest you. A member of the club will then contact you to discuss possible opportunities.
Explore the complete Coach & Trainer Development Guide for more information about coaching pathways, development resources, mentorship, club colleagues and opportunities to grow at Calgary Foothills Soccer Club.
