PHOENIX INK HEAD COACH

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The Winnipeg Phoenix Soccer Club is pleased to announce it has hired former English professional soccer coach Malcolm Mitchell, as its first full-time Club Head Coach.

“We’re extremely excited about this fantastic addition to our soccer community,” said Doug Leeies, Phoenix president. “Malcolm’s knowledge of the game and experience as a coach will help everyone involved in the Phoenix soccer program from kids to coaches, beginning players to top national prospects.”

Mitchell previously coached and scouted for professional youth soccer academies with Sheffield Wednesday FC and Rotherham FC in England and holds a top UEFA coaching license.  He was also instrumental in helping to build a very successful youth soccer club in Washington DC.

Mitchell will be in charge of managing all of Phoenix’s soccer programs including running the Development Centre, camps, clinics and schools of excellence for our players, coaches and officials.  He also brings with him important links and networking to successful soccer programs in England and the United States.

“I’m looking forward to getting started with Phoenix (the club has already begun to improve soccer in the north-eastern Winnipeg district) and to enhance the game for all the children and parents involved and to offer players the benefit of my links with professional English clubs,” said Mitchell.

“I see a great future for the game in Winnipeg with "District/Clubs" like Phoenix leading the way,” he said. “This was one of the reasons we chose to relocate our family to Winnipeg over other cities in Western Canada.  There are great people here and it seems like a great place to raise a family and enjoy an active lifestyle.”

The Phoenix Soccer Club was formed in 2003.  Phoenix serves the communities of Elmwood, Valley Gardens, East Kildonan, North Kildonan, Transcona, Oakbank through the community centers of Chalmers CC, Elmwood CC, Kelvin CC, Bronx CC, Melrose CC, Morse Place CC, North Kildonan CC, Gateway CC, Valley Gardens CC, East End CC, Park City West CC, Oxford Heights CC, Transcona South CC, Oakbank CC and other guest centers.  Phoenix has 200 registered players and serves some 1,900 affiliated players U-9 through U-18.  Phoenix currently has a senior player playing on the Canadian National Senior Women's team, players in the National Team Training Programme, 5 Provincial Champions teams since it was formed, 9 Premier & Regional City Champions and Finalists, and 23 Recreational City Champions and Finalists this year (2006) alone.  The Phoenix Soccer Club was formed around the CSA club head coach model and is in "year four" of a twelve-year plan.

Watch for more to come on the availability of soccer programmes becoming available for players of all ages and levels!

Contact Doug Leeies 204.982.2000 form more information or Malcolm Mitchell at phoenixheadcoach@shaw.ca  for an interview or more information.