Meet Our Club Technical Team

Simon Wilshaw

Email: simon.wilshaw@osu.ca

Current Age Groups: U12, U13 & U14 Boys

Why I Coach? I love football and it has been my life since I was 5. I enjoyed playing and thinking about the game as a player, what I/the team can do in certain scenarios to get success. Coaching was the next logical step when I was asked to go on coaching licence, from here I got the appetite to improve. I wanted to get better by watching games and sessions as much as I could to pick up little tips and try them with the players I was coaching while always looking to improve them so they can develop.

Professional Background: 

• Youth Team Player (1994-1997) Port Vale F.C Stoke on Trent, UK
• Represented the club from U14 – U16
• Staffordshire County Player (1995 – 1997) Staffordshire Stafford, UK
• Represented my home county from U14 – U16 Youth Team Player (1990 – 1994)
• Stoke City F.C Stoke on Trent, UK Represented the club at U10 – U14

Qualifications: 

• UEFA A License, 2019
• FA Youth Awards
• Canadian Youth License, 2019 - 2020

Past Coaching Successes:

• 2014 – 4 Players from 2001 Team selected for trials at TFC Academy
• 2014/2015 – 8 Players selected for 2001 Ontario Provincial Team Program
• 2014/2015 – 2 Players selected for 2001 Ontario team to play Quebec
• 2015 – 2 Players selected to train in Vancouver Whitecaps U14 Residency program
• 2015 – 8 2002 Boys selected for 2002 Ontario Provincial Team Program
• 2015 – 11 2002 Boys selected for 2001 Ontario Provincial training Program
• 2015 – 2001 OPDL Eastern Champions
• 2016 – 4 2001 Boys represent Ontario province v Quebec
• 2016 – 2001 Player represents Canadian U15 national team
• 2016 – 2002 Player joins Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program 2016 – 2 2001 Boys join TFC Academy for trip to France to take part in MLS Event
• 2016 – OPDL Eastern Champions 2001 Boys
• 2016 – OPDL League Champions 2001 Boys
• 2017 – 3 Players joined TFC u16 academy from 2001 team
• 2017 - 9 players from 2003 and 2004 Boys make Provincial Team program.
• 2019 - OPDL Cup Winners - 2004 Boys
• 2019 - OPDL Champions - 2006 Boys

Anthony Vassallo

Current Age Groups: U13 - U17 Girls  

Why I Coach? Football has always been my passion ever since I started playing. As a coach, my goal is to help grow the game in Canada by teaching, developing, and inspiring young players. To create a player-centered environment for players to be creative, learn, enjoy the game, and strive to win at all levels.

Email: anthony.vassallo@osu.ca 

Playing Background:     

• Ontario Provincial Team | Ontario Soccer Association | Canada | 2000

• London City SC | Canadian Professional Soccer League | Canada | 2001-2003

• Birkirkara FC | Maltese Premier League | Malta | 2003 - 2006

• Maltese National Teams | U18/U19/U21 | Malta | 2003 - 2006

• Marsa FC | Maltese Premier League | Malta | 2006

• Jamestown College | National Association Intercollegiate Athletics | USA | 2007-2008
   

Coaching Background:

• Club Head Coach | London Croatia SC | Western Ontario Soccer League | 2010 - 2014

• District Assistant Coach | Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association | 2011 - 2013

• Academy Centre Head Coach | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2014 - 2019

• BCSPL & Technical Staff Coach | Thompson Okanagan FC | British Columbia Soccer Premier League | 2016 - 2019

Qualifications: 

• Canada Soccer Association National B License

Past Coaching Successes:   

• 2012 | London Croatia (Men's Team) | League Champions | Western Ontario Soccer League

• 2014 | London Croatia (Men's Team) | League & Cup Champions | Western Ontario Soccer League

• 2015/2016 | Nanaimo United (Women's Team) | League Champions | Lower Island Women's Soccer League

• 2016 | Thompson Okanagan FC (U18 Boys) | Playoff Champions | British Columbia Soccer Premier League

• 2016 | Thompson Okanagan FC | One player selected to U18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Boys Residency

• 2017 | Thompson Okanagan FC | Two players selected to U16 British Columbia Boys Provincial Team

• 2018 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | One player selected to U15 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX

• 2018 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | One player selected to U17 FIFA World Cup Canadian Women's National Team

• 2019 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Two players invited to U13 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Boys Pre-MLS Academy

• 2019 | Thompson Okanagan FC (U17 Boys) | Tournament Champions | Max Shacknai Tournament Phoenix, AZ