VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC is pleased to announce the addition of Woodstock FC as an official Network Partner in Southern Ontario, the expansion of the current partnership with Byron Soccer Club in London, and the addition of a full-time head coach to work exclusively with Network Partner clubs in the area.
As part of the partnerships, Whitecaps FC will support Byron SC and Woodstock FC through technical services and insider access to the club's team, staff, curriculum and training programs, as part of a larger development network.
Jhon Ardila will be the technical lead for the partnerships, providing consistent on-field presence to oversee player and coach development, including session delivery and program planning.
"The Network Partner Program is growing in Southern Ontario and with Jhon taking on this role we now have the capacity to dedicate a full-time coach to work with our partner clubs in the area," said Mike Ayyash, Whitecaps FC BMO Academy Centre director. "Jhon is very experienced as a coach, learning facilitator and technical lead, having worked in the club system in Ontario for many years and spending time in BC in his most recent role with Whitecaps FC."
Woodstock FC provides competitive and recreational soccer programs under the technical direction of club head coach Iain Hume, a Woodstock native and former professional and Canadian men's national team player. Whitecaps FC staff will work directly with Hume on curriculum and technical planning with weekly visits to work together and oversee programs.
"Woodstock FC is excited about the prospect of working alongside the Whitecaps organization," said club president Sharon Docherty. "Our players will benefit greatly from their curriculum and the expertise of their coaching staff. This affiliation will open up pathways for our players and we couldn't be more thrilled to see that happen."
Byron SC is expanding the Whitecaps FC partnership that was launched in the summer of 2021 to a more comprehensive annual partnership that includes more visits from Whitecaps FC staff to the club and more collaboration on technical planning, coach and player development, and club engagement.
"We had a successful launch last summer piloting the partnership with the Whitecaps and tapping into their resources and staffing expertise," said Byron SC president David Brulé. "This year we are expanding the services with a dedicated Whitecaps coach on the ground to meet the needs of our club, coaches and players."
Ardila, a native of Colombia, previously held the role of Whitecaps FC Okanagan BMO Academy Centre head coach and has relocated to Ontario where he will assume his new role as Whitecaps FC Network Partner Program, Southern Ontario head coach.
He holds a Canadian A License, a Professional Coaching Degree from the Football Coaches Association of Argentina-South American Football Confederation, and a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education.
Ardila’s most recent coaching experience in Ontario includes time with the Solo Talentos Soccer Program, and Ontario Soccer as a learning facilitator and coach developer. He also spent over 15 years with the North Mississauga Soccer Club, most recently as a technical head coach.
To read more about Jhon, visit camps.whitecapsfcyouth.com/jhon-ardila.
For further information about Byron SC, visit byronsoccer.ca/about.
For further information about Woodstock FC, visit woodstocksoccer.com.
For information on the Network Partner program, visit camps.whitecapsfcyouth.com/networkpartner.
For information on the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy.
