Calgary, Alberta — Calgary Foothills Soccer Club (“Foothills” or “The Club”) is excited to announce significant updates to its leadership structure, effective March 1, 2025. These strategic appointments reinforce our commitment to excellence in youth development and further solidify our position as a leader in Canadian soccer.

Greg De Carnys Appointed Technical Director

In recognition of his extensive contributions since joining the Club as its Girls Academy Manager, Greg de Carnys has been promoted to the position of Technical Director. Greg brings extensive international experience, having contributed to renowned youth academies worldwide. He holds a UEFA A License, a degree in Coaching Science, and a Masters in Sports Science.

Greg is a visionary leader with a proven track record of nurturing talent and driving excellence in youth development for leading Premier League academies. His experience spans various coaching methodologies, elite performance, and player development strategies. Greg has led teams to top finishes in prestigious tournaments and influenced the success of academy graduates who have achieved professional careers and represented national teams internationally.

His 20+ years of coaching experience gives Greg an in-depth understanding of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) process, having overseen three successful category 1 audits over eight years as part of the Academy Management Team at the prestigious West Ham United Academy. He has coached youth players at top clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, and gained senior team experience with Watford in the English Championship and as Head Coach for West Ham United Women. Throughout his career, Greg has successfully managed and developed staff and players across all phases of an academy system and at the first-team level. He has worked with numerous players who have progressed to the game’s highest levels, competing in the English Premier League, LaLiga, and the Bundesliga, with combined transfer values exceeding $350 million CAD.
Before joining Foothills, Greg served as an Elite Coaching Consultant at GIBPRO in Gibraltar, where he developed innovative coaching programs and individual development camps for academy players. His previous roles as Academy Manager at Visakha FC in Cambodia and Academy Director at FC Kosice in Slovakia showcase his proven ability to nurture talent and execute successful player development strategies.

“I am honoured to have been promoted to Technical Director at this successful Canadian Club and excited to contribute to the Club’s rich legacy of excellence,” Greg says. “I look forward to working closely with the talented players, dedicated staff, and supportive community to unlock the full potential of our academy and propel Foothills to new heights.”

Lee Tucker Appointed as Academy Director

In alignment with Greg’s appointment and in recognition of his outstanding contributions of more than a decade with the Club, Lee Tucker will assume the role of Academy Director. In this role, Lee will oversee the entire academy structure, ensuring a comprehensive and cohesive player development pathway from U9 through Adult levels.

A highly accomplished coach and leader, Lee holds his CSA A License and UEFA B License and has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performance youth soccer in Canada. As a national gold medalist coach at Youth Nationals and having seen several of our players progress to the youth national team stage, Lee has consistently demonstrated his ability to develop top-tier talent, contributing to success on the national stage.

Since taking the helm of the Foothills WFC Pro-Am program in 2020, Lee has guided the team to impressive success, including a United Women’s Soccer (UWS) Western Conference Championship in 2022 and a UWS National Championship Finalist appearance in 2022—competing in one of the most competitive United States-based international women’s leagues. Lee’s coaching achievements were recognized when he was voted UWS Coach of the Year in 2022.

Under his leadership, the Foothills WFC Pro-Am platform has played a critical role in supporting 14 players in achieving their goal of signing with the newly formed Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. This pathway highlights the Club’s commitment to providing a genuine bridge from youth development to professional opportunities, further cementing its reputation as a leader in Canadian soccer.

Lee’s expanded leadership role will bring a more unified, integrated approach to player development across all age groups. Having been with Calgary Foothills since 2013 and worked throughout the various ages and stages of the club, Lee’s deep understanding of the Club’s history, culture and values, combined with his proven track record in elite player development, will strengthen the academy’s long-term vision.

Connor Brady Joins as Generation Lead and League 1 Men’s Head Coach

We are excited to announce the appointment of Connor Brady as our new Generation Lead, where he will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Club’s soccer development programs. Additionally, Connor will take on the position of Head Coach for the Foothills League1 Alberta Men’s Program, where his extensive coaching experience and leadership will be key in advancing our senior men’s program and fostering the growth of young athletes.

Connor brings an exceptional track record to his new role, including a distinguished career as Head Coach of the SAIT Men’s Soccer team since 2017. Connor was recognized with numerous accolades throughout his tenure, including five ACAC Coach of the Year awards. In 2023/24, he was honoured as the CCAA National Coach of the Year, further cementing his reputation as one of Canada’s top soccer coaches. With a National B coaching license, Connor’s strategic vision and commitment to player development align perfectly with Foothills’ mission to create pathways for athletes to achieve their full potential.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Connor to the Foothills family,” said Greg De Carnys, the Club’s Technical Director. “His impressive coaching achievements and deep understanding of player development make him an ideal fit to lead our League 1 Men’s Program and guide the next generation of athletes. We look forward to the impact he will have both on and off the field.”

Jamieson Sawka promoted to the Director of Performance

Jamieson Sawka is being promoted in recognition of his impact on the Club’s Performance Department, from Performance Manager to Director of Performance. Jamieson will work closely with Chase Wetherell, Head of Sport Science, to develop and lead a dynamic performance centre. Jamieson has been instrumental in bringing in European systems for player tracking and development and the supporting video analysis program for players and coaches. His skills have been recognized by the Cavalry FC, who brought him on their recent pre-season preparation for the Concacaf championship.

Jamieson’s promotion will assist the Performance Department in elevating its focus on sports science, video analysis, mental health and performance, and other innovative performance programs, ensuring our players reach their peak potential while at the Club.

Luis Tinoco promoted to Foundation Phase Manager

Another team member recognized for his performance is Luis Tinoco, who has been promoted to Foundation Phase Manager. Luis will oversee our U9-U12 age group with the support of colleagues Chace Jacquart and Taylor Tombides.

Luis will also assist with the U13-U15 Development Phase and collaborate with Connor Brady in the U16-U17 Generation Phase.

Luis currently holds a National B and National Children’s coaching license, has won numerous provincial championships and played an instrumental role in Foothills WFC winning the UWS Western Conference and finishing second at Nationals in 2022. In addition to coaching teams, he has been involved with the girl’s academy program as well as the Enhanced and High-Performance Player (HPP) development streams. This has allowed him to not only prepare our players for the next level but provide them with an exceptionally high-quality environment to express their personalities and flourish their creativity.

Stuart Lindsay Promoted to Technical Lead at Foothills Soccer Club

Stuart Lindsay is also being promoted because of his outstanding contributions and underscores the Club’s dedication to enhancing its coaching staff and reinforcing its commitment to developing soccer talent at all levels. Stuart will be the Technical Lead for the Foothills Foundation and Development phases and will serve as a pivotal figure within the organization, overseeing the development programs for U11-U15 boys’ and girls’ teams.

Stuart brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having qualified as a Coach with the English FA in June 2004 and holding a UEFA B license. His extensive coaching background includes significant tenure at various academies in the south of England, notably the Wiltshire Regional Talent Centre, where he successfully coached players and teams competing in the Junior Premier League. Stuart also had the privilege of coaching under a former professional footballer at his academy, Matt Le Tissier Natural Coaching.

Before joining Foothills in September 2023, Stuart established and led the youth section at a Step 5 club, overseeing the development of 120 young players. In addition to his coaching credentials, Stuart has completed the full FA Youth Award and holds qualifications in Futsal, further enriching his coaching expertise and ability to nurture young talent.

“We are thrilled to elevate Stuart Lindsay to the position of Technical Lead for our Foundation and Development phases,” said Technical Director Greg De Carnys. “His proven track record in developing young players and his commitment to coaching excellence make him an invaluable asset to our academy. Stuart’s leadership will play a crucial role in advancing our mission of fostering the growth and success of our young athletes.”

Farewell and Best Wishes to Departing Team Members

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Marc McLaren and Andrew Stevenson who have decided to pursue new career opportunities. Their hard work, dedication, and invaluable contributions to our Club have been deeply appreciated, and we wish them success in all their future endeavours.

These leadership changes reflect our ongoing commitment to creating the best environment for young athletes to thrive. With this dynamic team in place, we are confident that Calgary Foothills Soccer Club will continue to develop top-tier talent and shape exceptional individuals who will succeed both on and off the field.

For additional information please contact:

Julia Massie
Marketing Manager
403.969.0385
julia@gofoothills.ca

Colin Mackay
Operations Director
403.225.9388
colin@gofoothills.ca