‘Players who may have headed out of our community may now decide they want to play at Lakehead and keep what we are growing here going,’ says new coach
Mark Cristante’s long list of soccer accomplishments and certified training has taken him to the side of the pitch for Orillia’s Lakehead University team.
The Barrie Soccer Club (BSC) technical director Mark Cristante was recently announced as the new head coach for Lakehead’s varsity indoor soccer program.
Cristante has been with the BSC for almost eight years and did not want to leave that position, saying he jumped at the chance to coach the Thunderwolves.
“I heard their coach was leaving and, once it became official, I put my name in the hat, which was in June,” he said. “This is great for me and what I am trying to accomplish in the game, and I plan on Lakehead continuing to do great things.”
Cristante has more than 20 years of professional coaching and sports administration experience and he said this is another step for him, personally.
“My goal is to challenge myself, improve and make an impact,” he said. “I’ve spent the last couple of years taking extra courses for soccer in order to expand myself and my knowledge. I love coaching. My passion is coaching other coaches and players.”
Having held several senior roles as a high-performance coach, district and club technical director, district head coach, and learning facilitator, Cristante has played a major role in the development of many soccer players and teams across the region, which he hopes to continue .
The Thunderwolves compete in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and will play teams from across the province.
Elana Weber, Lakehead’s manager of athletics and recreation, said in a statement that the university was thrilled to have Cristante.
“His commitment to strengthening and building a strong program with a foundation on athlete development and structure will be the key to re-establishing our men’s varsity indoor soccer program here at Lakehead Orillia,” Weber said.
Cristante has coached teams that have won district, regional, provincial and league titles, and has also won a Canadian club national championship silver medal.
He has achieved his UEFA ‘B’, Canadian National ‘B’, USSF National ‘B’, United Soccer Premier Diploma and Teacher Trainer of Adults (honours) and is currently enrolled in the Canadian National ‘A’, UEFA ‘A’ licensing courses, as well as finishing his master life coaching certification.
Through the BSC, Cristante is a link to the League1 Ontario team, the Simcoe County Rovers FC.
The Rovers are in their first year of league play and have already won two trophies, seen the women’s team make the playoffs and are awaiting Friday’s men’s game to see if they get a home playoff game.
Cristante says he’s eager to learn more about the possibilities between BSC, Thunderwolves and Rovers.
“I’m excited for the pathway this gives all our players. The relationship (the BSC) has with the Rovers is fantastic, but now connecting with a university allows us to build another platform and hopefully give players a chance to stay local,” Cristante said.
“Players who may have headed out of our community may now decide they want to play at Lakehead and keep what we are growing here going.”
Students who are interested in trying out for the Thunderwolves varsity men’s indoor soccer team are encouraged to fill out the Thunderwolves recruitment form.
Tryout dates are set to be released later this month.