ACADEMY TECHNICAL TEAM

Duncan Wilde has been a major figure in Canadian soccer for more than three decades. Arriving in Canada from his native England in 1988, he immediately made an impact in the soccer world.

In 1989, Wilde launched Premier Soccer Academy, the first academy to be registered in Ontario. As Premier Soccer Academy flourished, enjoying success after success under Wilde’s leadership, his reputation and influence continued to grow in parallel.

By 2003, Wilde was appointed Head Coach of the professional side Hamilton Thunder, leading them to the CPSL Western Conference Championship in his first season at the helm.

In the following year 2004, Wilde was appointed as the Head Coach of the Toronto Lynx competing in USL Pro, the top North American professional soccer league at the time.

In support of the Lynx, the Oakville Blue Devils were also established by Wilde in 2005 and went on to win the CPSL National Championship in their lone season.

Wilde’s love for the sport was cultivated from an early age in the Greater Manchester area from which he hails. After having the opportunity to represent his country playing for England Schoolboys, Wilde continued his youth career in the Manchester United Academy, eventually playing for Manchester United Reserves. His career included playing for Shrewsbury Town, Burnley, Manchester United and Everton.

When his playing days came to an end, it was coaching that proved to be the spark for the next chapter of Wilde’s career. After joining the Lynx in 2004, Wilde enjoyed many successful years with the Lynx organization including establishing and eventually owning, with his good friend and partner Billy Steele, the Toronto Lynx Academy. In all, Wilde’s career with the Lynx included serving as Head Coach of the Toronto Lynx USL Pro side from 2004 to 2007, Head Coach of the Toronto Lynx USL/PDL team, and Academy Director of the Toronto Lynx Academy.

The Lynx youth academy was extremely successful under the guidance of Wilde and Steele, playing in the Super Y League in the United States from 2007 to 2014. In that span they went to seven Super Y League North American Finals, four Super20 North American Finals, while sending hundreds of players on to college scholarships, professional careers and national team success.

In 2015, Wilde and Steele re-established Oakville Blue Devils FC with a men’s team competing in League1 Ontario and immediately won the 2015 League1 Championship in their first year, as well as becoming 2015 Inter-Provincial Champions.

Success has followed success for Wilde, Steele and the Blue Devils with the men’s team winning the 2017 League1 Ontario Championship, making the club the first-ever League1 club in history to earn a berth in the Canadian Championship. The Blue Devils Academy was established in 2017, with the Blue Devils League1 women’s team making its debut the following year. The men’s, women’s and reserve teams all won the regular season championship in 2019, and the Academy has grown into one of the best in Canada. For his part, Wilde was named League1 Ontario Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2019 while still serving as the Head Coach of the Blue Devils Academy.

William McCallum 'Billy' Steele was born in Kirkmuirhill, Lanark on the 16th of June 1955. He was a tidy, dapper midfielder who played for Norwich City at a young age and was capped for Scotland Youth several times, but had his footballing career cruelly taken from him through injury just as he was getting established in the side.

Having moved down to the Nuneaton area during his school years, the Canaries spotted him in junior football and signed him as an apprentice in 1971 aged just sixteen. Two years later he signed professional forms. His first team début was a baptism of fire - the 1973 East Anglian Derby against Ipswich Town at Carrow Road. It was in the earliest days of John Bond's reign as City manager, and keen to shake things up, he threw young Billy into the mix after good performances for the Reserves team. It almost worked - the small framed Scotsman hit the bar in the first half, giving Ted MacDougall the chance to hit home the rebound for a one
goal lead. Unfortunately Ipswich Town hit back after the break to win 2-1.

Billy played again three days later in the 1-1 Manchester City, but it was a difficult period at Carrow Road for a young professional to make his mark. His early professional career was marked by ups and downs. Eventually City fans started to see more and more signs of Steele's talents. The midfielder never had a hair out of place when he lined up at the start of a match, but always put in an industrious shift, and slowly his efforts were more appreciated.

The 1976-77 campaign was his real breakthrough season. Billy took his place alongside the exalted Martin Peters and the marvelous Colin Suggett, and increasingly played his part with neat touches and awareness. He missed a few games with niggling injuries but still managed 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring in the away defeats at Birmingham City and then at Everton. But in the very next game at Villa Park, tragedy struck. Billy Steele twisted his knee in a fall.

The incident ended his career as a professional player. The coming months saw four unsuccessful operations plus other numerous attempts at surgery to fix his injury. In the end he devastatingly had to call time on his career, aged just 24, with Norwich hosting a testimonial game with Norwich city playing England with guest players Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves and a no show George Best.

Following his playing career, Billy eventually moved to Canada in 2001, and in 2004 returned to the game as Assistant Coach with the Toronto Lynx Soccer Club. His son Aaron was a schoolboy player at Norwich in 2001, but also emigrated to Canada.

Alongside his good friend and coaching partner Duncan Wilde, Billy helped to steer the Lynx to many years of success in USL Pro, USL/PDL and helping to establish the Toronto Lynx Academy.

In 2015, Billy and Duncan re-established the Blue Devils as a League1 Ontario men’s team, enjoying incredible success including the 2015 League1 Championship in their first year, as well as becoming 2015 Inter-Provincial Champions.

Success has followed success for Billy, Duncan and the Blue Devils with the men’s team winning the 2017 League1 Ontario Championship, making the club the first-ever League1 club in history to earn a berth in the Canadian Championship. The Blue Devils Academy was established in 2017, with the Blue Devils League1 women’s team making its debut the following year. The men’s, women’s and reserve teams all won the regular season championship in 2019, and the Academy has grown into one of the best in Canada.

Each year, Billy still travels with Academy teams and returns to his beloved Norwich to play matches and experience a proper football Sunday at Carrow Road.

"When the Sun Comes Out in Norwich"
Sung by Billy Steele
Words and Music by Peter Monk © 2012

Blue Devils FC Head Goalkeeper Coach Glenn McNamara’s playing and coaching career has spanned more than four decades and two continents.

In the early 1980s, Glenn played with York University where he was named first team CIAU All Canadian. Following his graduation in the late eighties, Glenn was signed with Clube Desportivo Nacional da Madeira in Portugal. This team won promotion to Primeira Liga in Portugal to play against the likes of Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, and Benfica. Nacional is famously known as the club where a young Cristiano Ronaldo began his youth career. Glenn played first team games over the course of three seasons with Nacional. Coached by Paolo Atori, who went on to coach Benfica, Glenn played with famous players such as William who also played center back for Benfica.

Following his pro career in Portugal, Glenn moved back to Canada where he played with the likes of Dynamo Latino (formerly Toronto Blizzard), and the North York Rockets, two professional clubs in Canada of the 1980s.

When his playing career ended, Glenn turned to coaching, helping to shape young goalkeepers. He has has coached with Duncan and Billy for more than 15 years, starting with the Toronto Lynx and then subsequently joining the Blue Devils to help launch the club. Glenn is the Club's Head Goalkeeper Coach and primarily works with the first-team keepers for League1 Ontario men’s and women’s teams, while also lending his expertise to the Academy players and helping to mentor the Blue Devils Academy coaches.

As a former Scholarship Director for the Toronto Lynx, Glenn has helped to place hundreds of youth players into scholarship programs in the USA and Canada. Many of his former goalkeepers today are playing around the world in professional leagues.

To his friends, Glenn is known as Mr. Fish, as he imports seafood products for Aquastar Canada.

Glenn has four children, all of whom played with the Toronto Lynx/ Blue Devils FC, including previous Club Captains Taylor McNamara and his younger brother Konner McNamara, both League1 Champions who led the Blue Devils to the first-ever berth in history for a League1 Ontario team in the Canadian Championship.

Born in Jamaica, Dino Lopez grew up in Mississauga and now currently resides in Oakville. Dino enjoyed a successful eight-year professional playing career that included the Toronto Blizzard and Montreal Impact. He also represented Canada on the national team.

Following his playing career, Dino embarked on a coaching career, working with both male and female players of all ages for more than two decades. He holds a USSF A License and B License, and is a former Coach and Technical Director at Oakville SC. Dino developed and coached in the Toronto FC Juniors and Pre-Academy Program (U6 to U13). Following his time launching Toronto FC Juniors, he worked as an Assistant TFC Academy coach for U15 and Senior Academy, and then serving as TFC Head Coach U19 and TFC Assistant Academy Director.

Dino believes in training that leaves players smiling and sweaty. Hard work and enjoyment need to go hand in hand. He holds a strong belief in age-appropriate player development that prioritizes game realism and promotes technical/tactical problem-solving based on the constraints of time, space and personal attributes. Dino will be serving as a Program Advisor for the Blue Devils.

Soccer is the most played sport in the world with over 4 billion followers, and Mauricio Flores had the great fortune of being born, raised, and educated in a country where soccer is deeply ingrained in the culture. Originally from Mexico, Mauricio has accomplished much in the sport he loves, including playing professionally for 11 years. That experience has given him first-hand insight into, as well as a profound respect for, the beautiful game.

After his professional career came to an end, coaching came naturally for Mauricio. He now holds a USSF National A licence and has spent the last 16 years of his life learning, breathing, and living soccer in some of the most renowned soccer clubs across the globe. This has given him a unique perspective, and has been a driving force in his continual development as a mentor and a coach.

As Mauricio says, “Soccer is my life and passion! My goal is to pass along all my years of acquired knowledge to help guide young players who have aspirations to pursue a future career in soccer, as well as to provide a safe place for players to nurture their love of the game. I hope with all my heart that we can create a great soccer culture for all the new generations to come - uniting people through the beautiful game of soccer.”

Shiquan “Shaq” Lowe is an Academy Coach in the Blue Devils Academy, and also plays for the Blue Devils League1 Ontario men’s team.

Shaq recently returned to the Blue Devils after a stint with Vaughan Azzurri. During his playing career in League1 Ontario, Shaq has won the League1 Cup and the League1 Ontario championship. He has also been named a League1 All-Star and competed in the Canadian Championships in 2018.

In addition, Shaq played with Seneca College for two years, earning MVP and All-Star honours in 2015. After Seneca, Shaq moved to NIagara University in NCAA D1 where he captained the squad.

Shaq is a committed and energetic young coach. He is passionate about development and enjoys working with the young Academy players.

Sergio Velastegui has had a long and distinguished career in soccer both as a player and a coach.

In 1977, Sergio became a Canadian champion as a part of Team Ontario, while also winning the Ontario Cup that same year. In the ensuing North American Championships, he earned a bronze medal. The following year in 1978, Sergio was selected to the Canadian National Youth Team and was selected for the Olympic roster. In college, Sergio played for Kent State University in Ohio and then for the University of British Columbia. Following college, he joined Toronto Croatia in the National Soccer League.

Following his playing career, Sergio moved into a long and successful coaching career. Some highlights include: Mississauga Soccer Club (Ontario Cup Champions 1991); Dixie Soccer Club (South Region Soccer League and Cup Champions, three years undefeated seasons including tournaments 2000-2002); Brampton East Soccer Club (Ontario Cup Champion 2011); George Brown College OCAA (All Ontario Indoor College Champions 2005); Ontario Futsal Cup Champions; and Brampton Huskies 2006.

Sergio now brings his experience, enthusiasm and love for the game to Blue Devils FC, where his son David has also played for the Blue Devils League1 men’s team, winning a League1 Ontario championship in 2015.

Coaching qualifications:

• Provincial B License
• National Coaching Certification Program Level 3
• Headway in Soccer
• Respect in Soccer
• CPR Certification

Trevor Lloyd brings more than 30 years of playing experience along with five years of grassroots coaching experience to his coaching role with the Blue Devils FC.

Trevor started playing youth competitive soccer with the Welland Wizards in the OYSL where the small town club would compete in the most competitive division in Ontario against much larger cities. While living abroad in Korea for two years, Trevor created and captained a team of Canadian/Americans living in Korea playing against local Korean club teams. Trevor has also spent three years as a referee, which has given him an appreciation for the difficult role that the officials have. Trevor continues to play soccer with Twente West FC in the Toronto Premier League, winning four league championships over the past 12 years.

Prior to joining the Blue Devils, Trevor started coaching for his children with the Oakville Soccer Club where he coached in the grassroots program for five years. He is excited to bring his experience and love of the game to Blue Devils FC to help develop the next generation of Canadian soccer players.

Karl Manzi Bicamumpaka brings a strong combination of playing and coaching experience along with expertise in sports psychology to his role at Blue Devils FC.

While at McMaster University, Karl served as captain of the varsity team, winning the OUA championship in 2012, and finishing as runner-up in the USports National Championship in 2014. Karl also earned his Bachelors Degree in Kiniesiology with a Minor in Psychology.

Following his time in Hamilton, Karl moved to the University of Ottawa where he earned a Masters in Intervention Consultation in Sport. During his time in Ottawa, he played for Ottawa Gloucester Celtic, winning the Ontario Cup in both 2021 and 2022, and capping it off as Challenge Trophy national champions in 2022.

Karl now holds his Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) designation, supporting the development of optimal mindset, mental health, and mental skills in performers of all ages and various sports.

As a coach, Karl has had many years of experience coaching youth players at different age groups. He holds his Canada Soccer C license and brings his unique skill set and background to Blue Devils FC.

Colin Pryce has always had a deep love for soccer. He played the game at a high level and, as a coach of young players, is a gifted teacher of the technical and fine points of the game.

Colin grew up playing youth soccer for Mississauga Soccer Club, and then attending Seneca College and St. Mary’s University as a young adult. His senior soccer career included suiting up for a number of clubs including Nacional (LUSO League), Independente (LEFA Spanish League), Toronto Italia (NSL), Brampton City and Sora Lazio (OSL), and Scarborough Azzurri (OSL) where his team won the National Championship in 1987 and finished as runners-up in 1988 and 1991.

Starting in 2000, he served as a Head Coach for the Mississauga Soccer Club Falcons for nearly a decade. During his tenure in Mississauga, he coached the Falcons ‘90 boys’ teams to three Ontario Cup finals appearances, and one Ontario Cup title. The team was always ranked in the top 5 in the province, while a number of players have gone on to scholarships in the US, with a few others playing at the professional level - two notable examples being Blue Devils Academy Coach Kyle Porter (DC United, Vancouver Whitecaps, etc.) and Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC).

After a brief stint at North Mississauga SC, Colin joined Duncan Wilde and Billy Steele at the Toronto Lynx Academy. He coached the 2013 U16 Toronto Lynx Boys to a Championship in the Needham Tournament in Boston and went to the USL National Championship Semi-Final in Florida where the team lost on penalty kicks.Following his time with the Lynx, Colin joined Oakville SC for several years.

He has returned to work alongside Duncan and Billy, bringing his years of experience and gift for teaching to the Blue Devils Academy.

Lucas Birnstingl is an Head Academy Goalkeeper Coach with the Blue Devils Academy and has also played for the Blue Devils League1 Ontario men’s team. Lucas brings a wealth of experience both as a player and as a coach.

His early playing career as a youth included playing with the National Champion Oakville Blue Stars and with the Toronto FC Academy, while also playing in the Provincial program. He progressed into a senior career that included playing in the Scottish Premier League at Dundee FC, Kilmarnock, and Hamilton Accies. While in Scotland, he also played for Queens Park FC, Clyde, Airdrie and Montrose.

Upon returning to Canada, Lucas had two short stints at other League1 Ontario clubs before assuming the starting goalkeeper duties for the Blue Devils. He also began pouring more of his time and energy into coaching and helping to develop young players. Lucas has served as a Goalkeeper Coach for Ginga Soccer Academy, Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club, Mt Hamilton Youth Soccer Club, East Hamilton, and Toronto Skillz. He is a committed and professional coach for the Blue Devils who loves the game and enjoys watching the young goalkeepers in his charge continue to grow and develop.

Mark Heathcote is a key Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Blue Devils Academy and the Blue Devils League1 Ontario team. He has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years (injury free the whole time). He has participated in local and provincial body building competitions (pics available upon request lol). Mark has been trained under the John Cardillo personal training system. Over the course of his career, he has worked with many competitive athletes physically, mentally and with their dietary needs.

Mark joined the Blue Devils Senior Coaching Staff in 2017. He works with the players in the Senior Academy group running sport-specific fitness sessions. He has helped Blue Devils athletes set individual goals with weight loss, strength gain and endurance. Mark is also instrumental with pre-game, in-game and post-game fitness preparation and monitoring.

Mark is an outstanding and important member of the Blue Devils team and utilizes his tremendous knowledge and passion for strength and conditioning to Blue Devils players of all ages.