Article content
Another Wheeldon helping to run Cavalry FC?
It’s happening, after Jay Wheeldon — Tommy’s younger brother — bumped up the quality of the braintrust Monday — if that’s even possible — after agreeing to take on the position of the Canadian Premier League club’s assistant coach and technical director.
Article content
Wheeldon joined Cavalry FC in the clubs inaugural 2019 season as a player and made 32 appearances over two seasons to secure himself as an important part of the side that won that first regular season.
Article content
In 2020, Wheeldon hung up his boots following the Island Games in PEI to focus full-time on his coaching career, which began in 2012 with Calgary Foothills. During his coaching education, Wheeldon has achieved his UEFA B licence and his Canada Soccer A licence.
In 2023, Wheeldon played a pivotal role in supporting the formation of League1 Alberta. In the league’s inaugural exhibition season, he led the Calgary Foothills FC side to a title winning season with an undefeated record. During his coaching career, Wheeldon has also won two national championships with both the 2002 girls in 2016 and 2002 boys in 2019. In his role as Technical Director at Calgary Foothills, Wheeldon played a key role in the early development and identification of future Cavalry FC players Victor Loturi, Aribim Pepple, Markus Kaiser, Gareth Smith-Doyle and recent U SPORTS draft pick Caden Rogozinski to name a few.
“Jay is a talented football coach with an intelligent tactical brain,” said Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “He has proven himself to be a very good developer of talent and has an incredible rapport with players. His track record shows he can combine development with winning, attributes that are a key part of our Cavalry DNA.”
Article content
Prior to joining Cavalry’s first-team coaching staff full-time, Wheeldon has been involved in the development pathway of the club — first as head coach of the Cavalry FC under-21s from 2021-22. He has recently helped develop the new U15-U17 ID program, alongside head of recruitment Oliver Minatel and assistant GM Tofa Fakunle.
With this appointment, he joins Cavalry’s coaching staff as an assistant coach and technical Director alongside Nik Ledgerwood, who has been moved up to the senior assistant coach role at the club.
The former senior man in that post, Leon Hapgood, earned a gig with the Major League Soccer’s New York City Football Club.
“I am very delighted to join a club that I care about deeply, on a full-time basis,” said Jay Wheeldon. “I have been around the club since Day 1 as both a player and member of the coaching staff within the pathway, to help guide players into the first team. I understand the values and DNA of the club and look forward to continuing to develop a strong connection with the key stake holders in our soccer community, build relationships with our young aspiring players and of course our passionate and loyal supporters. Cavalry FC bleeds success on and off the pitch, and I am proud to be part of such an organization with amazing ownership, leaders, staff and players.”
Cavalry kicks off its 2024 CPL season away to Forge FC on April 13, before hosting Pacific FC on April 28 in the club’s regular-season home opener.
Share this article in your social network
