Sunday, March 9, 2014

Burnaby, BC – Simon Fraser University Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation Milton Richards has announced Annie Hamel as the Clan’s new women’s soccer head coach.

“Annie has a great background and was the exact profile of what we were looking for in a women’s soccer coach,” said Richards. “She’s played professionally and spent the last five years as the top assistant at a very good Division II school. She understands how to recruit student-athletes that will flourish at Simon Fraser.”

Hamel becomes the second head coach of the women’s soccer program, taking over from Shelley Howieson who moved into a new role in the department in January after a coaching career that included two NAIA Championships.

A native of Magog, QC, Hamel joins the Clan after five years as the top assistant coach at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL.

“For me it was a great opportunity,” said Hamel. “To be able to come home, come back to Canada after 10 years in the states and join the only school in Canada that competes in the NCAA was a perfect fit for me. I’m looking forward to building on the strong foundation that’s here.”

She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Maine in 2004 and has head coaching experience with the Ottawa Fury under-20 team from 2006-07.

“I really want to recruit British Columbia first while maintaining my ties back east. The Vancouver area has a lot of talent and it’s important they know about us but first I'm looking forward to getting to know the talent that's already on the team,” continued Hamel. 

As a player, Hamel played professionally with FC Indiana and the Ottawa Fury, after playing university soccer at Division I University of Maine.  

At Maine, she set the record for most goals in a season in 2003 (40) and helped the team to an appearance in the America East Conference final in 2003.

Coach Hamel’s philosophies include having a 100 percent retention and graduation rate, building a strong relationship with alumni and having an active presence in the community.

“My experience as a student-athlete is the reason I got into coaching. It was an important part of my life and made me the person I am today. My coaches were tremendous people. They were great leaders and great mentors. I want to give the student-athletes here that same experience,” finished Hamel.

She will start working immediately as spring camp is underway.

Hamel will be available to the media on Tuesday, March 10 at 3:00 p.m. at SFU.