Foundation Phase Manager (U9-U12) Luis Tinoco, Foundation Phase Manager – U9 – U12

Luis Tinoco is the Foundation Phase Manager for the U9 to U12 age groups at Calgary Foothills Soccer Club, where he leads one of the most important stages of player development. In this phase, the focus goes far beyond just learning skills. It is about creating an environment where players fall in love with the game, build confidence, and develop habits that will last a lifetime. Luis plays a key role in shaping how young players experience soccer, ensuring that their first years in the pathway are positive, challenging, and memorable.

Since joining Foothills in 2019, Luis has worked across multiple areas of the club, gaining a broad and valuable perspective on player development. His experience includes coaching within the Girls High Performance Academy, leading teams in the Alberta Player Development League, and working within the Foothills WFC environment at both the United Women’s Soccer and League1 Alberta (now the Alberta Premier League) levels. Through these roles, he has been able to connect the early stages of development with the demands of the high-performance game, helping to build a clear and aligned pathway for players within the club.

In addition to his work at Foothills, Luis serves as an assistant coach with the University of Calgary Dinos women’s soccer program, where he contributes to the development of athletes competing at the university level. This experience continues to shape his understanding of what players need as they progress through the pathway, allowing him to bring those insights back into the Foundation Phase.

+++Luis holds both the Canada Soccer National B Licence and the Canada Soccer National Youth Licence.+++

His coaching approach centres around building strong technical foundations, encouraging creativity and confidence on the ball, and developing players who understand the game, not just play it. He is passionate about creating environments where players feel supported to express themselves, take risks, and grow both as footballers and as people.

Why I Chose Foothills

I was looking for an environment that would challenge me daily, push my standards, and surround me with people committed to doing things the right way. I knew it would be the best place for my development as a coach.

The girls’ program at Foothills was trailblazing and actively challenging the landscape of soccer in Calgary and across Canada. That immediately stood out to me. I wanted to step into an environment where I could grow within that space, working with motivated players who would demand more from me every day.

What I found was exactly that, and more. The players pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, but they also created opportunities for me to grow beyond just coaching. They challenged me to think differently, communicate more effectively, and hold myself to a higher standard in everything I did.

That experience opened doors to new environments, higher levels of the game, and challenges that have shaped who I am today. Foothills has not only helped me grow as a coach, but also as a person, and that is something I value deeply.

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