Mounties Announce Derek O’Keeffe As Next Women’s Soccer Head Coach
The following post is courtesy of Mt. Allison Athletics from February 21, 2024 https://www.mountiepride.ca/sports/wsoc/2023-24/releases/20240221nxz5mi.
(SACKVILLE, NB) The Mounties are proud to appoint Derek O’Keeffe as the new head coach of the women’s soccer program. With this announcement, Coach O’Keeffe takes on joint leadership of both the men’s and women’s program.
Originally from Cork City in Ireland, Coach O’Keeffe moved to New Brunswick in the summer of 2022 to take on the reins of the men’s soccer program. With two AUS seasons under his belt, Coach O’Keeffe has already made significant improvements both on and off the pitch.
“We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Coach O’Keeffe to the head coach position of our women’s soccer program,” explains Jacques Bellefleur, Director of Athletics and Recreation. “His enthusiasm, coaching acumen and understanding of the game are infectious and what he has done in just two seasons with our men’s program has us excited for the future.”
Coach O’Keeffe is no stranger to the task at hand as his coaching journey began in the League of Ireland before joining the New York Red Bulls’ technical staff in the MLS. Coach O’Keeffe moved to Canada in 2010 where he has since worked as a head coach in League 1 Ontario in addition to working as a technical director for clubs such as Simcoe County Rovers and currently for Codiac FC in Moncton.
“I am excited for the work ahead and the potential that is within the women’s team,” says O’Keeffe. We want to get back to contesting for playoff positions and we know that with hard work, structure, and of course quality, we can certainly take the program to new heights. It is a privilege to coach at the AUS level and to work with such a talented group of student-athletes.”
Having worked closely with long-time women’s soccer coach, Gene Ouellette, Coach O’Keeffe is thankful for the guidance and support Ouellette has shown him since joining the Mounties coaching staff. ”I would like to thank Coach Gene Ouellette for all the amazing work he has done for the women’s soccer team at Mount Allison,” says O’Keeffe. He has welcomed me since my first day on campus last year and is not only a terrific coach, but also person. He has left behind a healthy program and I wish him all the best moving forward.”
Coach O’Keeffe has already assumed full responsibilities of the women’s soccer program and is hard at work training with the current squad and recruiting new talent. Any interested women’s soccer student-athletes can contact Coach O’Keeffe via email at: dokeeffe@mta.ca.
Source: https://www.mountiepride.ca/sports/wsoc/2023-24/releases/20240221nxz5mi