Brendan O’Connell – Sporting Director
Brendan is a former English professional footballer who made 451 game appearances and scored 79 goals in the Football League as a midfielder for a number of clubs including Exeter City, Burnley and Barnsley. After suffering a career-ending injury, Brendan retired from the game he loved but went on to coach Wigan Athletic’s youth and reserve teams.
After moving to Calgary, Brendan has been very involved in the Calgary soccer community. He is the current Head Coach of the University of Calgary men’s team, as well, he has held coaching roles with both the Villains and Foothills Soccer Clubs. Brendan has also been a lead boy’s coach with the Alberta Soccer Association’s Regional Performance Centre. Brendan has his UEFA A Coaching Diploma.
Brendan’s experience as an ex-professional and his current university coaching position will help guide Calgary Blizzard to develop their game and expand their playing opportunities through Brendan’s extensive network of contacts within Europe and the university system in North America.
Alan Rickwood – Senior Advisor
Alan Rickwood has been with the Blizzard Soccer Club since January 2002, first as a Technical Director, and then since April 2004 as General Manager. In January of 2019 Alan decided to semi-retire but wanted to continue to give back to the club that he had been with for so long. Alan is now our Advisor who will work on special projects for the club.
Alan’s previous business experience in banking and finance in the UK has helped implement the Board’s policies and create the business model the club currently operates under. Alan is responsible for the day to day operations of the Club.
It is on the field however where Alan’s true passion lies; having completed his UEFA B in 2000, he added his Canadian National B licence in 2003 and has subsequently continued his education by, among other things, spending a week with Ajax of Amsterdam and his personal favourite, a weekend with Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid participating in a tactical thinking weekend.
Alan has coached a number of Blizzard teams, both boys and girls, to various Championships, Showcases, Tournaments and Provincials as well as for Alberta Soccer and the Calgary Summer Games team. A little known fact is that in 2007 he coached the Blizzard Storm 91 boys to victory in the London Arsenal International Festival, at the time it was the first time in the 35 history of the event that a Canadian team had won.
Over the years Alan has built up an invaluable list of contacts throughout North America and Europe which helps with college or university placement or in arranging overseas trips or trials.
He is a passionate fan of AFC Wimbledon in England, but for those that know him, he truly does bleed orange and not the yellow and blue of Wimbledon!! He is a committed family man and being the boring person he is, his hobby if he is not traveling is watching sports, especially soccer.
Board of Directors
(As elected December 2018)
Our Board of Directors is responsible for developing and implementing the purpose, vision, values and strategic priorities for the Club. The Board is made up of dedicated volunteers who meet on a monthly basis to oversee the direction of the Club.
Name |
Position |
| Kien Tran | President |
| Shane Campbell | Vice President |
| Suzi Vickers | Secretary |
| Penny Antoniuk | Treasurer |
| Angelo Salina | Facilities Chair |
| Kien Tran | Discipline Chair |
| Bob Lamond | Director at Large |
| Bob Bowman | Director at Large |
| Ron Girvitz | Director at Large |
| Brandi Marsden | Marketing and Communications Chair |
Annual General Meeting
The Club holds its Annual General Meeting in November or December of each year and all Club members are encouraged to attend. New Board members are elected at this time, the prior year is reviewed and future initiatives are discussed. If you are interested in joining the Club’s dynamic board please do not hesitate to contact Club President, Kien Tran at president@calgaryblizzard.com to discuss further.
Blizzard Soccer Club Bylaws
The Club’s bylaws can be viewed and downloaded through this link.