Red Deer College has decided to approach coaching their Kings and Queens soccer teams a little differently next year.

While they were looking to replace former Queens head Coach Esad Elkaz, RDC decided to combine a few of the assistant coaches into combined GM/Head Coach roles for both squads.

“The vacancy was an opportunity for us to evaluate our soccer program’s coaching structure,” says Diane St-Denis, RDC Athletic Director. “This new model will provide enhanced support for both teams while creating an improved balance of workload for our coaches.”

Kings assistant coach Mahziar Peyrow will move into the GM/head coach role of the entire Red Deer College Soccer program, along with last seasons Kings assistant coach Gerald Grobmeier will also be the head coach, with the two coaches collaborating to lead both the Kings and Queens. 

Gerald Grobmeier
Mahziar Peyrow
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of coaches, soccer leaders and student-athletes as we continue to grow the Red Deer College Soccer program,” says Peyrow, RDC Soccer GM/Head Coach. “Using the expanded expertise within our coaching model, we will provide our student-athletes with the necessary tools to evolve in their studies, training and during competition. The development of the program will also be assisted by the Kings’ valuable insight and experience from last year’s trip to the national championship.”

With RDC Soccer assistant coaching experience, Stephen Kelly and Jessie Stewart will be integral contributors, along with members from the 2019 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) silver medal winning Kings team, and others from the central Alberta soccer community. Among several benefits, this structure provides the ability for one coaching specialist to be assigned to a specific technical aspect of the game.

The RDC Kings (7-3-2) had a solid 2019 season, defeating the SAIT Trojans (10-1-1) in the ACAC semi-finals and eventually capturing silver.

The Kings made team history by earning a berth in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Soccer National Championship at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario, picking up a win and placing sixth in the nation. The Kings finished as the top team from the ACAC.