Casey Stoney adds three new faces to CANWNT Coaching Staff

Canada Soccer has announced the appointment of Natalie Henderson, Neil Wood, and Ian Willcock to the Women’s National Team technical staff under Head Coach Casey Stoney. The trio join the program in full-time roles as the team prepares for upcoming home international matches in Winnipeg and Montréal this May and June. 

“I’m delighted to welcome Natalie, Neil, and Ian to our coaching team. Each of them brings a wealth of experience, passion, and fresh perspective that will be invaluable as we continue building on the winning culture the Canadian program has established. This will be a collective effort — one team, one vision — and we’re all committed to pushing forward with real intent as we set our sights on becoming genuine World Cup contenders.” ​
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​- Casey Stoney, Women’s National Team head coach

Natalie Henderson, from Newcastle, England, joins as assistant coach of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team after most recently serving as Head Coach of England’s U-17 Women’s National Team and as Lead Phase Coach at Newcastle United’s male academy. A recipient of the Premier League’s Eamonn Dolan Award, Henderson made history by becoming the first woman to coach in a Premier League academy environment. She brings a strong development background and international experience to the Canadian program. 

Neil Wood will also join the technical staff as an Assistant Coach, transitioning into a full-time role with Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team following his involvement throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle. A former professional player from Manchester, England, Wood most recently managed Salford City in the English Football League from 2022 to 2023, bringing valuable leadership and tactical expertise to the national team environment. ​ 

Ian Willcock will round out Stoney’s technical staff as Goalkeeper Coach. Willcock, from Bury, England, has been a key figure with Manchester United Women since the club’s inception, working as their Women’s Goalkeeping Coach. Over six seasons at Old Trafford, he played a pivotal role in the development of top talents, including Mary Earps, who went on to be named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper. He will officially join Canada Soccer in a full-time capacity at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. 

Together, Henderson, Wood, and Willcock add a wealth of experience to the Women’s National Team technical staff, joining Head Coach Casey Stoney and Toronto native Yianni Michelis, who is serving as the team’s performance analyst. ​ 

Their appointments represent a key step in strengthening the technical foundation of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team as the program moves into a critical phase of development and preparation ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™. Under Stoney’s leadership, the expanded staff is set to foster a high-performance environment focused on both immediate results and long-term success on the international stage. 

Stoney and the Women’s National Team will also include emerging Canadian coaches and technical staff within the National Team environment during select windows for professional development opportunities. Individual additions will be announced alongside roster reveals in future camps. ​ ​