Valley Soccer Announces New Technical Director

Angela Morrison has accepted the position of Technical Director for the Valley District Soccer Association. Morrison, a native of Economy NS, takes over from former TD Wayne “Wanners” Evans, who took over the position of Player Development Coordinator for the Alberta Soccer Association. She is also the head coach of the Acadia women's soccer team.

Morrison, graduated from Acadia with a bachelor's degree in physical education. She also has a bachelor's degree in education from Maine-Presque Isle and a master's degree in educational leadership from North Dakota. Morrison, has coaching accreditations from the Canadian Soccer Association (Level III Technical) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (National Diploma, Advanced National Diploma) and in 2007 earned a B License from the US Soccer Federation.

An all-star goalkeeper, Morrison helped lead the Axewomen to a conference title in 1996, a season in which Acadia set a national record by allowing no goals against during the regular season. Following her graduation with a second Acadia degree in 1997, Morrison played soccer professionally in Japan’s women’s league in 1997-1998.

In 1998, she began her coaching career as an assistant coach with the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where she was completing her education degree. The following year, she was an assistant coach at the University of North Dakota, where she received a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She coached at UND three years, the last as the head coach. Starting in 2002, Morrison moved on to San Diego State, where she coached for two seasons, including a brief stint as interim head coach. From 2004 until her return to the Valley this year, she was an assistant coach at the University of Montana.

With an extensive background in soccer and education, her resume is complemented by a U.S. Soccer Federation Class ‘B’ license and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America advanced national diploma. She had also acquired a Canadian Soccer Level 3 Technical Certification prior to leaving Canada.

For her part, Morrison anticipates no problems juggling her two jobs, which she said, “complement each other nicely. “A lot of the mandate of Valley Soccer and the VDSA is development,” she said. “In my job as TD, I get to see some of the best soccer in the province and I’m able to keep an eye on the up-and-coming kids.”

Morrison holding both jobs “also has advantages for local players in that it gives them something to aspire to. For me, I can teach them what’s needed to play at that next level.”

At the same time, juggling the two jobs “will make for a full plate for me. It will take some time management and some long-term planning.” It will be a challenge, but it’s a challenge she is more than willing to embrace.

Angela Morrison

Director of Coaching

Valley District Soccer Association

(902) 678-8644 (office)

(902) 698-2949 (cell)

Head Women's Soccer Coach

Acadia University