Alex, thank you so much for taking the time to allow us to conduct this interview – to start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm a 28 year old local Vancouver native. I am married to my beautiful German wife Sylvia who I meet when playing for FSV Mainz05. I enjoy everything football and seem to can't get enough of it!
Can you expand a bit on your playing and coaching background?
Growing up playing in the lower mainland I was coached by those who still play a huge role in developing today's youth. Dale Mitchell, Nick Dasovic, Alan Errington, Shawn Flanagan, Derek Possee, Mark Parker, Michael Findlay, Shawn Lowther, Steven Hart, Ray Clark, Sean Fleming, and on and on.
As a Vancouverite, I held great pride in playing for Canada in the youth world cup on home soil in 2007 and furthermore for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
I attended The University of Portland and enjoyed 3 amazing years with the Pilots. I am a Portland Pilot for life!
After Portland I took my football to Germany. Fußball ist das Leben in Deutschland! It was an amazing learning experience being coached by some of the world's best like Thomas Tuchel. I signed with Bundesliga 3 club Sportfreunde Siegen at age 20 and was later signed by FSV Mainz05. That year the club got promoted to the Bundesliga 1 and they have still not looked back. A top notch club, I have the outright most respect for how they deal with their professional players and youth!
My Coaching started in Germany at Mainz05 rivals 1.FC Kaiserslautern. A top notch club that took me in as a young learning coach and gave me so much. I conducted my UEFA B in Germany and During the licensing course I knew that I had become addicted to coaching. Currently taking my UEFA A licence I have found a deeper passion for the tactical side of the game.
Currently I coach the 2003 intake Fusion FC Boys as well as Quest University Mens Soccer Team.
How did you get into coaching – what was the defining moment that made you realise this is what you wanted to do?
When I finished playing in 2012 I had some time to think about what was next as I was recovering from injury. I knew I may never play again and that was the case. It took just a simple goals exercise, as you would do in grade school and I jotted down the below...
My personal and professional goals are grounded by a commitment to giving back to young athletes by...
