VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Ross Holtom has been appointed as associate head coach of the Northern Academy Centre in Prince George, joining current head coach Sonny Pawar.
Holtom joins Whitecaps FC from England, where he spent three seasons as a staff coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Academy, the highest level (Category 1) of the professional club academy system in England. At Wolverhampton, Holtom was responsible for U-14 player development, delivering training sessions, match-day coaching, and performance reporting.
The English coach holds his UEFA ‘A’ license, part one and two, and is awaiting his final assessment date. Holtom also holds his FA Youth Coaching Module one, two and three and FA Junior Football Coach, Course Tutor Qualification.
“With our programs growing, we have been looking to provide Northern Academy head coach Sonny Pawar with additional support,” said Whitecaps FC director of soccer development Dan Lenarduzzi. “When the opportunity came up to bring someone of Ross’s experience and credentials to the North, we felt it was the perfect opportunity for us to have a deeper Whitecaps FC presence in the area. As our Academy programs grow, we will continually work more closely with the community, clubs, local players, and partners.”
Holtom and Pawar will work together as associate head coaches to further grow the Prospects Academy in Prince George and reach out to other potential satellite academy sites in Northern BC. In addition, the Northern Academy will seek to further collaborate and grow the relationship with current partner club Prince George Youth Soccer Association (PGYSA), as well as other potential clubs and associations in the North.
“I’m very excited to be working together with Ross as we look to expand on our Whitecaps FC programs in the North” stated Pawar.
Both Pawar and Holtom will be overseen by Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency and Academy Centre head coach Bart Choufour. In addition to the direct connection to the professional club in Vancouver, Pawar is also the current assistant coach of the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) men’s soccer team.
Whitecaps FC Academy Centres are a network of regional Whitecaps FC training hubs linked through key staff, curriculum, and standards that provide professional supplemental training for serious, motivated players. Other current Academy Centres are located in Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Kootenays, Okanagan, Kamloops and Saskatchewan.
For more information on Whitecaps FC academy programs visit whitecapsfc.com/academy or contact Dan Lenarduzzi at dlenarduzzi@whitecapsfc.com.
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