Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the appointment of Gonçalo Pinto as the BMO Lethbridge Academy head coach. As part of a technical partnership with the Lethbridge Soccer Association (LSA), Pinto will act as the LSA technical director providing on and off-field services to LSA players and coaches. Pinto will also run Whitecaps FC BMO academy and camp programs, which includes the Lethbridge ‘Caps to College program. Pinto replaces Sam Heap, who will be moving to another opportunity within the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System.
“Gonçalo is a top coach who has done great work with our partner club Whitecaps London in Ontario,” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC vice president of soccer development. “We are pleased to bring his quality to Lethbridge, to work closely with our partners Lethbridge Soccer in providing even more opportunities for the players, coaches, and the community.”
Pinto comes to Lethbridge from Whitecaps London, a club in Southern Ontario that competes in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), the province’s youth high performance league. Pinto acted as the Whitecaps London assistant technical director and grassroots manager. Originally from Portugal, he holds a bachelor of science in sport coaching, and has over 14 years coaching experience in Portugal and South Africa. He is in the process of completing his UEFA A license.
For more information on Goncalo Pinto, click HERE.
For more information on the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy system please visit whitecapsfc.com/academy.
