Ramon Mifflin – Boys Technical Director 

As a youth player, Ramon was part of the United States Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and represented California on their state team. He then went on to play NCAA Division 1 soccer at the University of San Francisco. After college, he played professionally in the US and Peru. His father, Ramon Mifflin Sr., played professionally for 18 years and represented the Peru National Team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

Ramon has been a fixture in the Calgary soccer community for the past 12 years. In his previous club, he led 7 Tier 1 teams to Provincial gold medals and furthermore, 6 national medals. Ramon has also secured a professional contract for Calgary standout, Caniggia Elva, 6 years ago at VFB Stuttgart. He is a staff coach with Whitecaps FC Alberta Academy and an assistant coach with the Mount Royal University Mens team. His collegiate experience and relationships in Canada and the United States, offer a unique collegiate pathway for our players looking to take their game to the next level.

Licenses:

FPF-CSF A License 2006-2008;

CSF-Conmebol A License Sports Studies;

Canada Soccer National B License – Certified;

Alberta Soccer Learning Facilitator.

Diogo Raposo – Girls Technical Director

Diogo Raposo joined Calgary Blizzard Soccer in the Fall of 2016 after his move to Calgary from Edmonton, where he had just won the Canada Soccer U18 Nationals with his former club. Since being with Calgary Blizzard,  Diogo has served as the club’s Goalkeeper Coach, Head of Soccer Operations and Girls’ Technical Director. Diogo prides himself in providing paths for his players especially at the post-secondary level with a strong track record of sending Calgary Blizzard players to University/Colleges in Canada and USA

Diogo currently holds his Canada Soccer National B License, Canada Soccer Youth License, United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma and Goalkeeper Diploma. He is an assistant coach for the University of Calgary Women’s Soccer, Academy Coach at Edge School and Coach for the Whitecaps Alberta South REX.

Licenses:

Canada Soccer National B License – Certified; 

Canada Soccer Youth License – Certified; 

Canada Soccer Children’s License (In Progress);

United Soccer Coaches National Diploma; 

United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper Diploma.

Tayla Cowan – Foundations Phase Lead

Tayla is a homegrown player who joined Calgary Blizzard in the Spring of 2021. She is a Health and Physical Education graduate from MRU and currently holds her CSA C-Licence. Tayla was the grassroots director at her former club and is known for her enthusiasm and vibrant character when working with the youngest of players. Although Tayla excels within the grassroots department, the experience of being a competitive female athlete herself has generated a deep passion for supporting other female athletes throughout their sport journey; striving to help them conquer their goals (both on and off the field) and establish their desire to play for life. Tayla’s experience, dedication to long-term player development, and passion for keeping players in sport, will make her an exceptional asset to the growth of our technical team and our Root’s program at Calgary Blizzard.

Licenses:

CSA C-License – Certified

Cedric Bovon – Boys Core Development Manager


Cedric Bovon joined Calgary Blizzard in the Fall of 2020. As a former technical director at West Hills United, player for Mount Royal University and current assistant coach at Mount Royal University WSOC Cedric will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Cedric is our Boys’ Development  Manager who will be dedicating his efforts on developing our U9-U12 tier I -IV Core age boys.

Licenses:

Canada Soccer National B – Part 2 Trained; 

Canada Soccer Youth License – Certified; 

Canada Soccer Children’s License – Trained; 

Alberta Soccer Learning Facilitator

Stu Baker – Girls Core Development Manager

In 2016 Stu joined Calgary Blizzard as a technical coach and has since changed roles with the club in 2020.
Prior to his experience at Blizzard, Stu played youth, Senior and master’s football in Australia and Canada for various clubs at the state and provincial level, as well as playing for SAIT in Calgary.
As the interface between the future generation of players and their love of the game, Stu’s objective is to develop a player’s responsibility, respect, confidence and courage, while using various teaching methodologies
to improve players technically and tactically.
Stu is our Girls’ Core Development Manager who will be dedicating his efforts on developing our U9-U12 tier I -IV Core age girls.

 

Licenses:

Canada Soccer National B License – Part 1 Certified; 

Canada Soccer Youth License (In Progress)

Logan Ellis – Reach Development Manager

Logan joined Calgary Blizzard in the Spring of 2021 and is a U13-U16 Blizzard Alumni. Logan is a former U Sports player and Kinesiology graduate of UBCO. After graduating, Logan had the opportunity to join UBCO as goalkeeper coach, while coaching youth players in the Okanagan. Logan moved back to Calgary in 2017, and currently holds his CSA Children’s license and National B (Part 1). He is currently completing his CSA Youth License and National B part 2. Outside of the youth game, Logan assists with the SAIT MSOC program. 
Logan is responsible for the development of our U13-U17 Tier 2-4 male & female players as well as the coaching clinics for coaches for these teams. Having a qualified and dedicated technical staff dedicated to these teams helps Calgary Blizzard players to be promoted to higher levels aligned with team specific tournament opportunities and post-secondary opportunities.

Licenses:

CSA Children’s License; 

CSA Youth License – Certified

National B License Part 1 Certified; 

National B License Part 2 (in progress); 

Jordan Santiago – Goalkeeper Academy Coach

Jordan went through the ranks of Calgary Youth Soccer, with Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club, and then played up to the Canadian U20 team.When he was 15 years old, Jordan received his first opportunity to play professionally with Reading FC in England. Jordan was offered a 2-year apprenticeship with Cardiff City FC in December of 2007 and went on to play for SC Veendam in the Netherlands as a goalkeeper.

He retired as a player and moved into a coaching role when he was approached by West Ham United in the English Premier League for the 2013-2014 season. Jordan is the current Cavalry FC Goalkeeper coach here in Calgary!

Jordan Santiago will be supported by current Cavalry FC goalkeepers, Marco Carducci & Niko Giantsopoulos as well as current University of Calgary Dinos WSOC Goalkeeper and Calgary Blizzard Alumna, Lauren Houghton.

Operations & Administration

Nathan Cicoria, Executive Director 

Nathan@calgaryblizzard.com

Jackie Martin, Marketing & Communications Director

Jax@calgaryblizzard.com

Lucy Woo-Leong, Membership Services Coordinator

Lucy@calgaryblizzard.com

Karly Sawatzky, Sport Operations Coordinator (U10-U17 Boys)

Karly@calgaryblizzard.com

Tanissa Schell, Sport Operations Coordinator (U10-U17 Girls)

Tanissa@calgaryblizzard.com

Jackie Martin, Sport Operations Coordinator (U3-U9 Foundations)

Jax@calgaryblizzard.com

 Board of Directors

(As elected December 2021)

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
Ron Girvitz President
Vacant Vice President
Justin Sharma Secretary
Jan Hulme Treasurer
Shane Campbell Director at Large
Arliss Szysky Director at Large
Carson Ackroyd Director at Large
Andriy Szkwarek Director at Large
Scott Cripps Director at Large
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, Ron Girvitz at president@calgaryblizzard.com to discuss further.

 Blizzard Soccer Club Bylaws

The Club’s bylaws can be viewed and downloaded through this link.

Calgary Blizzard Club Bylaws