LONDON, Ont. - A familiar face will be commanding the Fanshawe Falcons women's soccer bench this coming fall as former assistant coach James Welsh takes over the reins of a program which continues to produce big results in the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA).

For the past three seasons, Welsh served as assistant coach of both the women's indoor and outdoor teams which achieved accolades including: several provincial bronze and silver medals, a 2009 OCAA gold medal (outdoor soccer), a 2010 OCAA gold medal (indoor soccer), and a 2009 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) silver medal.

With all of these achievements behind him, Welsh says it is time for him to put his own personal stamp on the team.

"I am both excited and feel privileged to become the head coach of the Falcons," Welsh said.  "(Former head coach) Martin (Painter) has created a strong program and it is my goal to continue with its success.  I look forward to the challenge of building a program that will compete at the provincial and national championships."

Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College manager of athletics, says his choice for his new head coach wasn't a tough decision.

"Coach Welsh's appointment is a logical transition from assistant coach for the past three years to head coach of our very successful soccer program," Lindsay said.  "He is involved at both the high school and club soccer levels and is the perfect candidate to lead the women's soccer program and continue to deliver a quality student experience."

Welsh's coaching resume includes stints also as head instructor for the Elgin-Middlesex Soccer Association, head coach of John Paul II Secondary varsity men's soccer and head coach with the FC London Youth Soccer Club, who were silver medalists in the 2010 U-13 Ontario Cup.

Before stepping into the coaching ranks, Welsh played for the 1998 national champion University of Western Ontario men's team. He then headed to NCAA Division II Hillsdale College where he served as captain in 2002. In 2003, he served as captain of Laurentian University's men's team.

Welsh's coaching doesn't stop at soccer. He has coached football extensively at the High School level and has worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

The official try-outs for Fanshawe soccer start August 20 and run through September 7.

With several exhibition games tentatively scheduled for early September, Welsh's Falcons will kick off their regular season on September 13 as they host the Sheridan Bruins.

Source: Fanshawe College