Un nouveau coach....à Toronto.

[François]

Toronto Lynx Announce New Head Coach!

Courtesy of the Toronto Lynx
03.Oct.2003
(TORONTO, ON) - The Toronto Lynx Soccer Club announced today the appointment of a new head coach for the club with a view to setting a new vision for success for pro soccer in Toronto. In the pro sports world, where head coaches come and go, Peter Pinizzotto has held the position of Head Coach for the Lynx since its inaugural season in 1997. Pinizzotto has successfully fielded competitive teams in the tough North East Division for 7 years. Under Peter Pinizzotto the Toronto Lynx set an A-League record for consecutive wins by an expansion team in 1997 and reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2000. Nicole Hartrell, the owner and Chief Operating Officer of the club explains that , “The coaching position is reviewed annually and this year we decided to make the change based on discussions over the past two years with the National Team coaches, the OSA coaches and other technical observers and of course our players and fans. The general consensus is that we need a new approach with the current talent and the tremendous talent that is coming up through the ranks. We required a coach with experience at the youth level and also at the pro level who could bring a new philosophy and vision to the club. We are indeed very grateful for the talent, loyalty and commitment that Peter has brought to this position during our formative years”. Pinizzotto has been offered another role in the organization which he is reviewing.

Duncan Wilde assumes the Toronto Lynx Head Coach position and is simply ecstatic with the opportunity to take the team to the A-League Championships next season. Duncan played professionally in the UK with Burnley, Everton and Manchester United Reserves and achieved staff coach status with the English FA before coming to Canada in 1988. He has successfully directed the Premier Soccer Academy in North America since coming to Canada and has recently partnered with the Lynx to direct the Toronto Lynx Premier Soccer Academy kicking off this week at the Downsview Hangar and the Oakville Sports Dome. In the summer of 2003, Wilde had a short stay as Head Coach of the Hamilton Thunder in the CPSL, leaving them undefeated and leading their conference. Wilde brings strong leadership to the role and has demonstrated that he has the right stuff to motivate and inspire at the pro level.

Wilde was a natural fit for the position since he has been instrumental in establishing a seamless team of top quality coaches that will oversee the Lynx hierarchy of play to include the Boys Junior Lynx Super Y League teams at U15, U16, U17 and U19 for the upcoming 2004 season. His mission is to develop elite Canadian talent for the first team along the same lines as the Academy systems in Europe. Duncan is planning a trip to England in October to utilize his many strong relationships in the UK for scouting new talent for the 2004 Lynx roster and will be attending the annual AOM meeting of USL Soccer in Clearwater Florida in early November as he prepares for next season.

“This is the perfect time and opportunity to enter back into the Professional game” says Wilde, “ Developing one of Canada’s largest Soccer Academies has been a tremendous experience for me since it has allowed me the opportunity to research the game here in North America. I am totally prepared for the challenges ahead and know that I can make a big difference in taking the Lynx Soccer Club to the next level!” The Club also welcomes Billy Steele, former pro player with Norwich City and a Scottish International, will join the club as assistant coach and Academy instructor.