With their first match in the Canada West fast-approaching, the UNBC men’s soccer team has chosen the head coach they feel will start them off strong.

Alan Alderson comes to UNBC from Calgary where he is currently the Director of Coaching for the NSD Soccer Club and Total Soccer Development, and the Alberta Soccer Association Provincial Team Head Coach for U-16 Boys. He has over 20 years of head coach experience at the university level and a coaching and playing career that has included professional, national, university, provincial and high level senior and youth teams. Alderson’s first official day is June 4th, but he’s already started planning for the challenges and opportunities facing the UNBC Timberwolves as they move from the college to university level-of-play.

“I’ve done this before—moving from the CCAA into Canada West—and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s a big jump for any team to make, but I’ve been through it and look forward to doing it again.”

Alderson has the experience that UNBC Director of Athletics, Jason Kerswill was looking for. "To have someone of Alan's calibre in place to lead our men’s soccer program is exactly what we need as we make the move from PACWEST to Canada West. His experience at the Canada West level will be invaluable to our entire athletic department."

That experience on the pitch is backed by a solid academic background that includes a Master’s Degree in Coaching Studies, a BA in Physical Education, a Diploma in Coaching Studies, and coaching credentials from national governing bodies in Canada and the United States. Alderson even has experience as President of the CIS Men’s Soccer Association. in.

What attracted Alderson to the position? “I love to coach, but I also love to team-build and exceed people’s expectations, and that’s what I intend to do with the [soccer] program here at UNBC.”

Alderson’s first impression of UNBC was meaningful. “I thought, ‘what an unbelievable campus and brilliant sports centre,’” remarks Alderson. “The greater population of Canada West has no idea what you have here at UNBC. They’ll be as amazed as I was.”

His first order of business as head coach will be to meet his returning players, “and then build on the great program that has already been started at UNBC.” This echoes the priorities that Kerswill has set for him. "With the season only three months away, Alan will have to hit the ground running. Of primary importance will be to touch base with our current student-athletes and determine what roster spots need to be filled before September. We will also make sure that we connect with the great Prince George soccer community to help strengthen the support necessary to be successful in Canada West."

“I’ve heard great things about the Timberwolves fans at UNBC basketball games, and I’m looking forward to blowing away the CIS regarding our soccer fans, as well. I want them to sit up and say, ‘Wow! What’s going on in PG, BC?’”

Alderson did it at Trinity Western University (TWU), where, from 2006-09, his strategy for increasing attendance gave TWU men’s soccer the highest university soccer attendance in the country.

“I’ve been told people here in the North just need a challenge and they’ll rise to it,” notes Alderson. “I’m pretty much like that myself. It sounds like we’re a perfect fit.”

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Alan Alderson