DARROL GRAHAM
Coaching
2009-2010 Staff Coach Canadian Soccer Association National Training Center
2009 Assistant Coach U15 Provincial Team Alberta Soccer Association (ASA)
2008-2009 Assistant Coach U18 Boys Torino Calgary West Soccer Club (CWSC)
2007-2009 Coach Bowness Community Technical Program
2006-2007 Coach U14 Girls Blizzard Soccer Club
2005-2010 Keeper Coach All Ages CWSC
2001 Assistant Coach Team Alberta U20 Men Canada Summer Games (Gold)
1983-1990 Coach Various Boys U14, U16 Blizzard Soccer Club
1984-2010 Coach/GK Coach Various Select Teams U14,U15, U16 ASA
1984-1994 Coach ASA Elite Camps/ Soccer Schools
For the past 25 years Darrol has coached for the Alberta Soccer Association. He has coached national team goalkeepers Lars Hirschfeld, Asmir Begovic, Taryn Swiatek and Erin Macleod, as well as international stars Owen Hargreaves, Kevin McKenna and Nick Legerwood. He has certified over 250 coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) as a facilitator for the Canadian Soccer Association.
Playing History
1975-1979 Community Soccer Montgomery/Bowness
1980-1984 Youth Premier Soccer Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club
1981-1984 Provincial Team Goalkeeper U14, U16, U18
1984-1994 CUSA Premier League with, Brittania, Whitespot Eagles, Juventus, Dinos,
(Calgary United Selects) Chinooks (Major League)
1994-2000 Various CUSA Leagues
2000-2010 Mens Recreational Soccer
Soccer has always been a part of Darrol’s life, both as a player and a coach. Born and raised in Calgary, he played soccer in Bowness/Montgomery as a young child. Excelling in the sport, he played as a teenager for the Blizzard Soccer Club until he graduated from Bowness High School in 1984.
During junior and senior high school, Darrol played as an A.S.A Provincial Select Goalkeeper (1981-87). At University of Calgary, Darrol was a Varsity team goalkeeper from 1988-1991, and keeper in the Calgary United Soccer Association (CUSA) Men’s Premier/Major Soccer League (1987-97). In his 30’s, Darrol rounded out his playing experience with various CUSA clubs as a part-time keeper…part-time scoring threat. He’s still kicking, but just barely.
At the same time, Darrol's engaging personality and extensive knowledge of the sport also made him a natural coach. After high school, he became a Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) coach for the same club for which he had played, coaching the Blizzards for six years. During this time, Darrol specialized as a goal keeper coach; an area that continues to be his forte. He has coached national team goalkeepers Lars Hirschfelt, Asmire Begovic, Taryn Swiatek and Erin Macleod, as well as international stars Owen Hargreaves and Kevin McKenna. For the past 25 years Darrol has coached for Alberta Soccer.