Oceanside Youth Soccer Society is excited to announce the hiring of local coach Larry Stefanek as the club’s new technical director.
“We’re very excited about adding Larry as our technical director,” league president Warren Cudney said. “He’s got a ton of experience and he knows the game very well. He’s been around the game of soccer in the area for years and having him on board is going to help tremendously.”
Stefanek has a wide variety of coaching and playing experience, which he will bring to the club to assist players and coaches at all age groups.
Stefanek holds a Canadian Soccer Association National B Licence and a master’s degree in coaching studies. He has represented Canada as a player in the FISU games and in futsal indoor soccer.
He was an All-Canadian during his playing days at the University of Victoria, is a member of the Upper Island Storm (Tier II) technical team and coach of their U17 girls’ team. Stefanek is involved in coaching also with the Mid Isle Highlanders F.C. U21 and men’s programs, which have won two league cups and league championships in the past two seasons.
In his coaching career, Stefanek has coached youth soccer, B.C. Summer Games teams, metro and high school teams, and also the U16 Vancouver Island Wave boys program of the Tier I B.C. Soccer Premier League.
The Oceanside Youth Soccer Society technical director and technical team will strive to grow the club’s development program with player and coaching development being the foundation of the program. The club’s technical team will develop and implement player focused programs designed to allow players to reach their full potential, according to the OYSS.
The club’s development program will be associated and linked with the Victoria Highlanders F.C., Mid Isle Highlanders F.C. and Upper Island Storm of the VIPL. This will include yearly planning, technical and tactical curricula, weekly session planning and sharing of resources and coaches.
These relationships will help provide connections within the programs and improve player development at all ages, according to the club. This pathway will help provide opportunities for OYSS players to be exposed to appropriate development and competitive environments so players can fulfill their potential, according to the OYSS.
The OYSS says this structure will provide a clearer pathway for OYSS players wishing to progress to the next tier of play. Program planning will focus on the four pillars of the game: technical, tactical, physical and psychological.
“For me, it’s all about getting the kids more involved,” Stefanek said. “Seeing them starting out young and having them continue on all the way through high school, that’s what it’s all about. We hope to see some of the same kids who start out with us continue playing the game through their teenage years, developing with us and working with us along the way.”
Soccer in Oceanside begins September 13. Registration is now open through the OYSS website at www.oceansideyouthsoccer.com and is available for kids ages 5-18.
