Simon Fraser University women's soccer team head coach Annie Hamel named Anna Picarelli, Lee Tregonning and Chris Sargeant as her new assistant coaches.
"I am thrilled to announce the addition of Anna, Lee and Chris to our coaching staff," said Hamel in a Clan press release. "The program is in a rebuilding phase and all three are exactly what we need to bring the program to the next level. I was lucky to assemble such a strong group of qualified coaches and I want to thank them for accepting this challenge with me and our wonderful student-athletes here at SFU. We will work assiduously to make sure our standards of excellence are met, and will build on our successes training by training, game by game."
Picarelli played Division I soccer at Pepperdine University and was a three-time all-star and the team's top defensive player in 2005. She also holds school records for single season saves (119), career saves (319), goals against average (0.81), goalkeeper wins (45), solo shutouts (32), goalkeeper games played (73) and goalkeeper games started (70).
"Joining the SFU women's soccer staff was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Picarelli. "Being a part of a program with great potential for success with the support of an amazing institution fuels my passion to be a coach. Working along side Annie, in addition to Lee and Chris, you can already see the puzzle pieces to a great coaching staff fit right into place. We all have different coaching and playing experiences to complement one another and together we will help the women's soccer program to reach its full potential."
Picarelli played professionally in Italy for ASD CF Bardolino Verona, winning three Italian League Championships and two Italian Cup Championships. She also played twice in the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and 2009 and was the Italian National Team's starting goalkeeper for the 2009 Eurocup.
Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Tregonning has played and coached professionally with Cardiff City.
"SFU has a lot of potential and I think SFU is poised to go to the next level," said Tregonning. "I'm excited to join Annie's staff and help the team reach their full potential. There's a ton of talent in this area that is more than capable of competing at this level and I think that we can build a quality team at Simon Fraser. Everyone has to work hard. Playing good soccer will bring rewards and the right results."
In the Lower Mainland, Tregonning has been involved with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, B.C. Soccer, Mountain United FC, North Vancouver FC, North Shore Girls FC, Play Active School Soccer (PASS), and his own elite soccer school, Europa Soccer Academy.
A native of Salford, Manchester, Sargeant finished his playing career in the United Kingdom with Warrington Town FC, a semi-professional team. He went on to play in the United States at Dodge City Community College and Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
"I have accepted to work with the women's soccer program because it was a great opportunity to build something new and really put my stamp on what I think is the best soccer program in Canada, giving the uniqueness of the NCAA affiliation," said Sargeant. "I also think it's a privilege to work at such a highly regarded academic institution. In addition, the coaching staff there will definitely help me acquire knowledge and valuable experiences that will help my personal development as a coach."
Sargeant coached the Salford University ladies' program and is currently the head coach of the under-14 girls BCSPL team and the assistant coach for the under-18 Mountain United FC girls' team.
"They each bring a different personality to the program, different coaching backgrounds, a wealth of knowledge and together they make a coaching staff that I am very confident in. Most importantly they are all well respected in the community and their impact on the student-athletes and the program will be noticed and felt right away," added Hamel.
The coaching staff will prepare for training camp next month as the team gets ready for the 2014 Great Northwest Athletic Conference season.
