Today we focus and learn more about Joao Duarte our Grassroot Manager - 2007G OPDL Coach. Born & Raised in Portugal he is now looking to become a Canadian Citizen. He loves the city and loves Canada. Joao has a very strong resume and has managed soccer programming in Boston, Charleston South Carolina. His first club in Canada was in London at our affiliate Byron Optimist Soccer Club. He then returned to Portugal at the beginning of the Pandemic and now returned to his adopted country soon to be his permanent home. Abbi Lezizidis...President of Whitecaps London says 'We are thrilled to someone with Joao's expertise and professionalism in the club. Born & raised in a Football first country can only help us continue to offer the best soccer programming London has to offer." Thank you Joao for sharing your story. Enjoy folks.
More on Joao...
2016 – January to June – Director of Coaching Girls and Head Coach for Global Premier Soccer Carolina, Charleston, SC and GPS NASA (U12 Girls, U13 Girls and U14 Girls and U11 Boys Elite) and also JV Boys Soccer Head Coach for Stall High School.
2016 to 2020 – Head Coach, U13-U21 Technical Director for Global Premier Soccer Canada and Byron Soccer Club (2003 Girls, 2001 Girls, 2006 Boys, 2007Girls, 2009 Girls)
2018 – November – GPS Technical Visit to Munich and FC Bayern München Academy
2019 – April – Head Coach of the U18 Boys GPS National Team which competed and won the 2ndValencia CF Elite Tournament “Diamantis Andronis” hosted in Nafplion, Greece
2020 – Enrolled into Sports Coaching, specialization in Football in Rio Maior, Portugal
2020/2021 – Assistant Technical Director and Head Coach for the UFC Almeirim in Portugal (U19 Women’s participating in the National Championship).
Qualifications:
UEFA C and Portuguese Level 1 – 2014
UEFA B and Portuguese Level 2 – 2017
Canada Learn to Train - 2017
Canada National B – 2020
Ontario Soccer Technical Director Diploma - 2021
