Ex National Coach & Player now with SOYSA

SOYSA is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Bennett as co head coach of SOYSA. Chris will work with incumbent head coach Ray Hintz to further the improvement of soccer for SOYSA. Chris will concentrate his efforts on working with the district coaches. His rich soccer experience is detailed below.Chris Bennett (born ca. 1952) is a former Canadian international and North American Soccer League soccer player. Since retiring from playing, he has been a soccer coach and instructor in the Vancouver area.An English immigrant to Canada, Bennett was a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL in their inaugural season of 1974, playing 8 games and netting two goals and an assist. A striker, he played three other NASL seasons - 1976 and ‘77 with the Seattle Sounders and 1978 with Memphis Rogues. Prior to going to North America, Bennett was a member of Chelsea F.C. in 1970 and ‘71.He earned 9 caps between 1973 and ‘75 for Canada, scoring twice.Bennett was a coach for 12 years with the Canadian Soccer Association, including 1998 to 2000 as the U-15 boys team head coach as well as assistant coach to the U-20 side and as an interim to the national side.Bennett was coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps reserves and Technical Director of North Coquitlam United Soccer Club. In 2004 he led the Whitecaps women’s team to the W-League championship.Coaching History2001 - Present: Technical Director, North Coquitlam United Soccer Club2005 Head Coach, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Men’s Reserve Team2004 - 2005 Head Coach, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Women W-League Champions1997 Assistant Coach, Canadian U20 World Cup Team in Malaysia (finished 13th)1995 - 1996 Assistant Coach, Canadian U20 National Team, CONCACAF Finals in Mexico (Gold Medal)1993 - 1994 Assistant Coach, Canadian U20 National Team, CONCACAF Finals in Honduras (Bronze Medal)Playing Career1978 Cleveland Force, MISL1977 Memphis Rogues, NASL1976 Seattle Sounders, NASL1974 Vancouver Whitecaps, NASL1973 - 1977 Canadian Senior National Team1970 - 1971 Chelsea FC, EnglandCoaching CertificationLevel I, II, III NCCP Theory, Technical and Practical CertifiedNational ‘B’ License CourseNational ‘A’ License CourseSpecial Recognition2004 - 2005 BC Directors Coaching Award, for dedication to the development of soccer through coaching2001 - 2002 Coach of the Year, North Coquitlam