SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - The Algoma Thunderbirds are pleased to announce Neil Ovey as the head coach of the varsity men's soccer team.

"We are thrilled to have such an experienced coach as Neil join our varsity program," said Algoma University athletic director Mark Kontulainen. "His resume as a professional player in England, coupled with his academic credentials and coaching record, puts us in a great position to build a strong men's program."

Ovey has been involved in playing and coaching soccer for over 30 years. He came up through the academy system in England, eventually rising to play in the Championship League for the Derby County Football Club. He has coached club teams and at the semi-pro level, and has scouted and coached for elite programs like the Manchester United Soccer Schools. He holds a BETC National Diploma in Sports Science and attended the Institute of Sports and Recreation Management at North Devon College in the UK.

"I am honoured to be the first head coach of the Algoma University's men's soccer team," said Ovey. "I have watched soccer grow in Sault Ste. Marie, and while I feel confident in my ability to recruit out-of-region, and even internationally, I believe that the nucleus of our team can be made up of home talent. This will raise the profile of the game in our community, and gives our local players an opportunity to consider Algoma University. Personally, this is a great challenge for me to coach at a high level, with talented players who take the game seriously."

Algoma University has recently announced that the Thunderbirds have been accepted to join the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference in 2013-2014. In preparation for their inaugural season in the OUA in 2014, men's varsity soccer will play a series of exhibition games against OUA, NAIA, and OCAA opponents in 2012 and 2013, as well as the OCAA Indoor Soccer Championship.

Source: Algoma University