The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that Stephen Hart has been named the Association’s new technical director. Hart will lead Canada’s long-term development plan as well as oversee all technical program. Hart has been technical director for Soccer Nova Scotia and a long-time coach with Canada’s national teams.
\u200b“This is a challenge to which I am looking forward,” says Stephen Hart. “I hope we can introduce some measure of stability and consistency into Canada’s technical programs. To impact the game in this country, it will take the commitment of everyone involved. It is amazing what can be achieved when we all work together.”
\u200bHart is certified as both as a Canadian Soccer Association License A Coach as well as an NCCP Level 4 Coach. He is also certified in the FIFA and Olympic Coaching Development Programmes. He has also undertaken studies in various youth development programs in Europe & Mexico
\u200bWith the national teams, Hart has been a coach with Canada’s development, youth and senior teams. He has recently been head coach of Canada’s U-17 team and assistant coach to Canada’s senior team. In 2007, he stepped in as the senior team’s interim coach and led Canada to a semi-final spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
\u200bHart’s first task will be the implementation of the Association’s new long-term development plan, Wellness to World Cup. Within the LTDP plan, Hart will also direct and monitor the national development teams, the coaching education program, the National Training Centres (including player identification programs), and the sports medicine program.