VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that Wes Barrett has been named the club’s new head coach for the Northern Academy Centre, a partnership with the Prince George Youth Soccer Association. His first appearance will be at this weekend’s Northern Academy Summit in Prince George, where he will be joined by a special visit from Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
Barrett takes over from previous associate head coaches Sonny Pawar and Ross Holtom.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Sonny and Ross for their hard work and commitment in establishing our Northern Academy Centre programs,” said Whitecaps FC director of soccer development Dan Lenarduzzi. “In Wes, we’re thrilled to have an ambitious, bright head coach to step in and continue what we’ve built. Having come through our youth programs himself, Wes has tremendous first-hand knowledge of what it takes to develop as a young player.”
A native of Richmond, BC, Barrett co-founded Vancouver Island based EPIC, a soccer services organization that provides development programs for aspiring youth players. At EPIC, Barrett served as head coach and program director, working with fellow co-founder and newly named Whitecaps FC Island head coach Neil Sedgwick.
A Canadian Soccer Association national ‘B’ license head coach, Barrett began his coaching career at the age of 16. Along the way he has coached at Victoria Highlanders FC and Total Soccer Systems (TSS) Academy, as well as serving as head coach of the St. Michaels University School senior boys secondary soccer team. Barrett also spent time coaching at Vancouver Island Wave of the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League.
As North Academy Centre head coach, Barrett will be overseen by Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency and Academy Centre head coach Bart Choufour.
During his playing days, Barrett was in the Whitecaps FC Super Y league program. Later, Barrett played at Trinity Western University before transferring to the University of Victoria, helping the Vikes win the 2011 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship on their home field.
For more information on the Whitecaps FC Northern Academy Centre, visit whitecapsfc.com/northern.
