July 15, 2009
HOLMBERG TAKES OVER AS QUEEN'S WOMEN'S HOCKEY COACH
KINGSTON, Ont. - Matt Holmberg will shift roles next year and has been appointed the new head coach of the Queen's women's hockey program for the 2009-10 season.
Holmberg, an assistant with the women's hockey program since 2006, takes over the reins from Harold Parsons who held the position since 2001.
Parsons stepped down from his role last week for family reasons celebrating the recent addition of his third child. For the duration of the 2009-10 season, Parsons will hold the title of mentor coach to ensure a smooth transition in leadership acting as a technical and tactical resource for Holmberg.
"Matt is an excellent choice to lead and help transition our program," said Janean Sergeant, manager, inter-university sport program. "As an assistant coach he has great familiarity with our athletes, while showing excellent leadership and communication skills. We look forward to working with him to bring new energy to women's hockey on campus."
A former triple-A minor hockey player with brief experience in the junior 'A' tier II level, Holmberg has concentrated on developing his coaching skills and experience. He currently holds his NCCP hockey development coaching certificate and in the past has coached a variety of women's sports in his native Pembrooke, Ont. Holmberg is no stranger to leading the team in competition having served as interim head coach twice during the 2008-09 season winning both games.
Holmberg graduated from the Queen's Faculty of Law in 1997 and obtained his bachelor of social sciences in criminology from the University of Ottawa in 1994. Since settling in Kingston, he has been an active community member serving as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and the Kingston Dragon Boat Race Festival. He also serves as the in-house counsel for the Empire Life Insurance Company in Kingston.
Queen's also announced that assistant coach Kim Pearce will continue with the team in an expanded capacity under Holmberg's tutelage. Pierce, a former Princeton Tiger in the NCAA is currently studying law at Queen's University. The Ottawa native is a former Ivy League player of the year and captured Ivy League rookie of the year honours as a freshman.
Parsons served eight years behind the Gaels bench compiling a record of 103-63-14-4 (.608%). He helped guide the Gaels to a 17-3-1 (.833%) record in 2003-04 and in 2006-07 saw his team finish runner-up to Laurier at the OUA championship. Parsons twice earned OUA coach of the year honours as the East Division representative in 2003 and 2004. During his tenure 12 players have been selected to the OUA all-star squad with an addition four named to the OUA all-rookie team.
Source: Queen's Gaels
Holmberg, an assistant with the women's hockey program since 2006, takes over the reins from Harold Parsons who held the position since 2001.
Parsons stepped down from his role last week for family reasons celebrating the recent addition of his third child. For the duration of the 2009-10 season, Parsons will hold the title of mentor coach to ensure a smooth transition in leadership acting as a technical and tactical resource for Holmberg.
"Matt is an excellent choice to lead and help transition our program," said Janean Sergeant, manager, inter-university sport program. "As an assistant coach he has great familiarity with our athletes, while showing excellent leadership and communication skills. We look forward to working with him to bring new energy to women's hockey on campus."
A former triple-A minor hockey player with brief experience in the junior 'A' tier II level, Holmberg has concentrated on developing his coaching skills and experience. He currently holds his NCCP hockey development coaching certificate and in the past has coached a variety of women's sports in his native Pembrooke, Ont. Holmberg is no stranger to leading the team in competition having served as interim head coach twice during the 2008-09 season winning both games.
Holmberg graduated from the Queen's Faculty of Law in 1997 and obtained his bachelor of social sciences in criminology from the University of Ottawa in 1994. Since settling in Kingston, he has been an active community member serving as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and the Kingston Dragon Boat Race Festival. He also serves as the in-house counsel for the Empire Life Insurance Company in Kingston.
Queen's also announced that assistant coach Kim Pearce will continue with the team in an expanded capacity under Holmberg's tutelage. Pierce, a former Princeton Tiger in the NCAA is currently studying law at Queen's University. The Ottawa native is a former Ivy League player of the year and captured Ivy League rookie of the year honours as a freshman.
Parsons served eight years behind the Gaels bench compiling a record of 103-63-14-4 (.608%). He helped guide the Gaels to a 17-3-1 (.833%) record in 2003-04 and in 2006-07 saw his team finish runner-up to Laurier at the OUA championship. Parsons twice earned OUA coach of the year honours as the East Division representative in 2003 and 2004. During his tenure 12 players have been selected to the OUA all-star squad with an addition four named to the OUA all-rookie team.
Source: Queen's Gaels
