A former professional soccer player with extensive coaching experience has been hired to lead the UNBC women's soccer program as it tries to find its footing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
UNBC revealed on Friday afternoon that Neil Sedgwick has landed the job as head coach of the Timberwolves. He replaces Andy Cameron, who was relieved of his duties in November. Cameron had held the position for UNBC's first four seasons in the CIS. Under his guidance, the Timberwolves posted an overall record of 3-37-10 in the Canada West conference. Last year alone, they struggled to a mark of 1-10-3.
Sedgwick - currently director of youth development at EPIC Sport Management, a Victoria-based soccer academy - said in a media release the position at UNBC "felt like a fantastic fit." He's looking forward to the challenge ahead of him and sees player recruitment as an integral part of improving the program.
"Certainly on the field there are many lessons from training and games which will be applied," he said. "However, it is the relationships with recruits and the players which will help the program continue to move positively."
Sedgwick was traveling on Friday and unavailable for direct comment.
Sedgwick was the fifth overall pick in the 1990 Canadian Soccer League draft. He played professionally for the Winnipeg Fury, Nova Scotia Clippers and Montreal Supra and then turned his attention to coaching. Sedgwick was women's head coach at the University of North Dakota for two years and then became associate head coach at the University of Southern California. Following his tour of duty at USC, he worked for seven years as head coach of the University of Montana Grizzlies.
As well, Sedgwick has served as an assistant coach of Canada's Under-17 women's team. His first day on the job at UNBC is Monday. A top item on his to-do list is to meet the players.
"These are people that put in a great deal of effort toward not only their school, but to their sport and to the community," he said. "I look forward to meeting them, getting to know them, and being part of their journey."
