April 25, 2014
Neely named Varsity Blues women's soccer Head Coach
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues soccer program is pleased to announce the addition of Stuart Neely as women's head coach, effective immediately.
Manager of Soccer Operations Anthony Capotosto, who took on dual roles as men's and women's head coach last season, welcomes Neely's expertise to the Blues program and looks forward to the development of the rising women's team in 2014.
"Our goal during the hiring process was to find the best candidate to lead our women's soccer program," said Capotosto. "We have achieved that goal with the hiring of Stuart Neely. Stuart brings with him a wealth of coaching experience at the provincial, national, international and professional levels of the game. There is no doubt he will raise the profile of women's soccer at the University of Toronto and across the CIS."
Neely helped lead the Toronto FC Academy since the program's inception in 2008. In 2011, Neely guided TFC Academy as the program's director after previously serving as academy manager and junior team head coach. Under his direction, six academy players joined Toronto FC's MLS roster.
In 2008, Neely acted as business and football advisor to English League Two side Bradford City FC, while from 2006-07, he worked as football officer for Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée in Belgium.
A Canadian 'A' Licence coach, Neely also served as high performance program manager for the Manitoba Soccer Association (2003 to 2005), technical programs manager for the Canadian Soccer Association (1998 to 2003), and director of player development for the Ontario Soccer Association (1995 to 1998).
"U of T is placing a great amount of importance into the high performance program and literally placing their money where their mouth is," said Neely. "The key for me is create a culture of high performance within the woman's program. There will be a renewed energy and focus on developing the student-footballer both on the off the pitch. This is a program that needs new energy and belief and I am ecstatic that I will be able to provide that for the players."
Neely becomes the eighth head coach since women's soccer's inception in 1985. The Blues have appeared in the post season in 26 of 29 seasons in program history, earning one silver and three bronze medals, and have appeared in two CIS championship tournaments, both while hosting, in 2009 and 2013.
"Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our soccer program," said Beth Ali, director of intercollegiate and high performance sport. "Our team has made great strides in the past few seasons and Stuart has the ability to push us to the next level."
Manager of Soccer Operations Anthony Capotosto, who took on dual roles as men's and women's head coach last season, welcomes Neely's expertise to the Blues program and looks forward to the development of the rising women's team in 2014.
"Our goal during the hiring process was to find the best candidate to lead our women's soccer program," said Capotosto. "We have achieved that goal with the hiring of Stuart Neely. Stuart brings with him a wealth of coaching experience at the provincial, national, international and professional levels of the game. There is no doubt he will raise the profile of women's soccer at the University of Toronto and across the CIS."
Neely helped lead the Toronto FC Academy since the program's inception in 2008. In 2011, Neely guided TFC Academy as the program's director after previously serving as academy manager and junior team head coach. Under his direction, six academy players joined Toronto FC's MLS roster.
In 2008, Neely acted as business and football advisor to English League Two side Bradford City FC, while from 2006-07, he worked as football officer for Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée in Belgium.
A Canadian 'A' Licence coach, Neely also served as high performance program manager for the Manitoba Soccer Association (2003 to 2005), technical programs manager for the Canadian Soccer Association (1998 to 2003), and director of player development for the Ontario Soccer Association (1995 to 1998).
"U of T is placing a great amount of importance into the high performance program and literally placing their money where their mouth is," said Neely. "The key for me is create a culture of high performance within the woman's program. There will be a renewed energy and focus on developing the student-footballer both on the off the pitch. This is a program that needs new energy and belief and I am ecstatic that I will be able to provide that for the players."
Neely becomes the eighth head coach since women's soccer's inception in 1985. The Blues have appeared in the post season in 26 of 29 seasons in program history, earning one silver and three bronze medals, and have appeared in two CIS championship tournaments, both while hosting, in 2009 and 2013.
"Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our soccer program," said Beth Ali, director of intercollegiate and high performance sport. "Our team has made great strides in the past few seasons and Stuart has the ability to push us to the next level."
