Meet Our Club Technical Team

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Claire Ditchburn 

Email: claire.ditchburn@osu.ca

Twitter: @Claire_D25

Current Age Groups: U15 & U16 Girls 

Why I Coach? I love soccer, and the energy and enthusiasm that youth players have for the game and have for being part of a team.

Educational Background: York St. John University - BA Honours Kinesiology

Qualifications: UEFA B License (currently working on UEFA A License)

Past Coaching Successes:

• 2017 OPDL Cup Winners
• 2017 OPDL Eastern Division Champions
• 2017 OPDL Charity Shield Winners, Bethesda Premier Showcase Winners
• 2016 Scottish Women's Premier League Cup Winners
• 2016 Scottish Cup Winners,
• 2015 UEFA Women's Champions League Qualification

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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 B License
• FA Youth Awards

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.

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Liam Hughes

Email: liam.hughes@osu.ca

Current Age Groups: U9's to U14's Boys & Girls

Why I Coach? My love of the game and my desire to find and develop talent at any level.

Educational Background:

• A1 Assessor and FA Coach Educator

Qualifications:

• UEFA B License
• FA Youth Award Modules 1, 2 & 3,
• UEFA A License candidate.

Past Coaching Successes: 

• Produced and worked with a number of players that have gone on to play professionally in England, Australia, Argentina, USA, United Arab Emirates and Norway.
•  Southampton Academy Cup Winners 2017 (Manchester City Football Club)
• Football Federation Australia NPL League and Cup double winners 2014 (Olympic Football Club)
• FA Youth Cup 1st round (2011), 2nd round (2012 & 2013), 3rd round (2014 first time in the club's history, Southport Football Club)