VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday the appointment of João Duarte as Network Partner Program (NPP) head coach, replacing Robbie Tice who departed for a new career opportunity. Duarte will work closely with NPP technical director and Discovery head coach Bart Choufour in delivering the program in British Columbia and across the country.
The Whitecaps FC Network Partner Program provides clubs and associations across Canada with the opportunity to team up with Whitecaps FC to grow and develop their soccer operations. Network Partners clubs benefit through technical services, curriculum, coach development, exclusive insider access to events, and developmental pathway opportunities.
“João has the experience and skill sets to continue evolving the Network Partner Program,” said Mike Ayyash, Whitecaps FC BMO Academy Centres director. “He combines the organizational and management skills, along with the on-field experience in leading clubs in different provinces and countries, to be able to provide quality to our current and future club partners in BC and across Canada.”
In his new role, Duarte will combine management and program planning, along with coach education and on-field visits to work with players and coaches of NPP clubs.
Duarte brings experience in coaching, coach education, planning and management from his previous roles in Portugal, the United States and Canada. He joins from the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy Centre in London, Ontario, where he was the grassroots manager and a head coach in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).
Originally from Cartaxo, Portugal he first moved to Canada in 2016 and held leadership and soccer operations positions while coaching with Global Premier Soccer and Byron Soccer Club in Ontario.
He holds UEFA B and Canada Soccer B coaching licences, and is currently working on his UEFA A licence. He also holds a Technical Director Diploma, and is completing his Master of Science in Sports Coaching.
For information on the Whitecaps FC Network Partner Program, visit https://camps.whitecapsfcyouth.com/networkpartner.
