CAPOTOSTO HIRED FULL TIME TO LEAD TORONTO SOCCER PROGRAM

 
University of Toronto’s director of intercollegiate and high performance sport, Beth Ali, has announced that a new leadership structure is being implemented in the Varsity Blues soccer program, effective immediately.

Anthony Capotosto has been hired to lead this new regime and will take over the head coaching duties of the men’s and women’s teams on a full-time basis. The leader of U of T’s men’s squad since 2007, Capotosto will be responsible for the growth and development of both teams at the intercollegiate level.

“Intercollegiate soccer in Canada has developed to the point where full-time coaching is a significant factor for success,” states Ali. “Full-time coaching will enhance the student-athlete experience from an athletic, academic, leadership and community service perspective. It will also enhance the program's ability to recruit, fundraise, cultivate alumni and outreach to the soccer community and is consistent with the current industry standard of our top performing provincial and national competitors.”

A former Blues team captain and two-time all-Canadian, Capotosto was an assistant coach with the 1998 men’s soccer Blues and after graduation served on the Blues women’s soccer staff in 2003. He rejoined the men’s staff in 2005 as an assistant to Carmine Isacco before taking over the reigns as the Blues bench boss. Capotosto has helped guide his squad to berths in three CIS championship tournaments and the team’s first OUA championship banner since 2002.

A graduate of U of T’s Faculty of Arts and Science (2002), Capotosto earned his B.Ed at OISE in 2003. He was an OUA all-star defender in all five of his seasons with the Blues (1997, 1999-2002), and named a first team all-Canadian in 2000 and 2001. Capotosto also claimed OUA East MVP honours in 2000 and 2001. He holds a Canadian National ‘B’ coaching licence and United States Soccer Federation National ‘C’ and ‘Y’ licences.

In 2010, Capotosto travelled to England for another 10-day coaching apprenticeship with Plymouth Argyle FC where he worked closely with former Toronto FC head coach John Carver and Paul Mariner, TFC's new director of player development. He is currently a member of the Toronto FC Academy coaching staff and most recently was the assistant coach to Jason Bent and their senior academy team that competes in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL).

Eva Havaris, who had been the women’s head coach since 2008, has resigned from her position as a result her new full-time job as the executive director and chief operating officer of Taekwondo Canada.
Havaris led the squad to its best regular-season finish in the history of the University of Toronto women's soccer program: first overall in the OUA with a regular season record of 10-2-2. The Blues led the OUA, and were tied with the Montreal Carabins in the CIS, allowing only five goals against in 14 games.

The Faculty of Physical Education and Health will be actively seeking two first assistant and two assistant coaches to round out the soccer staff. Information on these positions will be available shortly.

Source: Toronto Sport Info