PROFILE Bill Merriman

PROFILE – Bill Merriman

Introduction Over the last 37 years, Vancouver Island –based Head Coach and Technical Director Bill Merriman has built an exemplary professional coaching career, simply by bringing out the best in his players and his teams. His commitment and dedication to the game and those who play it is readily apparent in his track record of player and team development – and it is that experience and expertise that Merriman can bring to the VIPL Storm franchise.

Team Development Accomplishments As the Head Coach of the Vancouver Island University (VIU) men’s soccer team, Merriman has guided his players to a first-place finish in the Pac-West Conference in each of the five years he has run the program. His VIU Mariners have brought home either Gold or Silver medals from the Provincial Finals, and at the CCAA National Championships, Merriman’s teams have gone on to win Bronze, three Silvers, and a Gold medal over the last five years.

Player Development Accomplishments Players coached by Merriman have succeeded individually as well – more than 10 players under his tutelage have gone on to play on the British Columbia Provincial Team, and more than 20 have gone on to play at the Canadian University level. Additionally, 6 players - coached by Merriman since they were seven years old - are currently on the VIU roster.

Individual Accomplishments Since 2006, when he was awarded the Nanaimo District Youth Soccer Association (NDYSA) “Coach of the Year” award, Merriman has steadily garnered accolades for his coaching from an increasingly wider audience. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, Merriman was named Coach of the Year by the British Columbia Colleges Athletics Association (BCCAA). Nominated for National Coach of the Year by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association in 2009, Merriman was honoured to take home that title in 2011. Merriman is National “B Prep” certified and has cleared the waiting list for a National “B” license from the National Coaching Certification Program.

Additional Information

Merriman has built strong relationships with many recognized coaching associates from around the world, and is also the Head Coach and Technical Director of the Mid-Isle Highlanders Academy. In July of 2015 Merriman will assume the Technical Director role with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy in central Vancouver Island.

Summary

Admired at a local, Provincial, and National level, Bill Merriman is a well-known and well-respected coach, mentor, and leader. Merriman has a lifetime of proven experience giving players and coaches the training and direction they need to reach their highest potential, and advance to the next level in their soccer development.

Bill Merriman

Bill Merriman’s Coaching Experience

 37 years of on-field coaching experience.

Coaching Accomplishments: Senior Teams

 Current Head Coach, Vancouver Island University Men’s Soccer Program  From 2009-2014, VIU has compiled a record of 64 - 13 - 17

 CCAA National Medals: 2014 (Sliver), 2012 (Silver), 2011 (Bronze)

 2010 CCAA National GOLD Champions, first in over 30 years for the University

 2010, 2011 PACWEST Conference Champions

 2009, 2012, 2014 PACWEST Conference Silver Medalist

 2009, 2011 PACWEST Conference Coach of the Year

 2011 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year

 Head Coach, Nanaimo United Men’s VISL Division I (2008-2011)

 Head Coach, Nanaimo Women’s Premier Team (3 Seasons)  League Champions (1994)

 Terry Price Cup Champions (1995)

Coaching Accomplishments: Youth Teams

- Technical Director, Vancouver Island Premier League “Storm” Franchise (U14-U18) (2013-present)

- Head Coach, Nanaimo District Development Center (2006-2010) - Head Coach, Metro Boy’s Teams (11 seasons)  ‘91 Nanaimo Metro Boys (U-14 to U-18)

 Undefeated U-18 Season in the BC Metro League (1st Island Metro team to ever achieve this)  Nike Crossfire Cup Champions (Seattle, WA)  Orange Cup Champions (Santa Barbara, CA)  Arsenal Festival top tournament team (London, England)  Consistently top 3 team in the Metro-League for 4 years

 ’85 Nanaimo Metro Boys (U-14 to U-18)  4-year Provincial Qualifiers

 2-time Nike Island Tournament champions

 2-time Nike Island Most Sportsmanlike Team

 Bronze Medal at the Newcastle United Invitational (England)

 Consistently a top 3 team in Metro-League for 4 years

 Head Coach, BC Summer Games (1999) Bronze Medalist

Development of Players during 11 Seasons as Youth Metro Coach

 More than 15 Players selected for BC Provincial Program Teams

 More than 30 Players selected for CCAA, CIS & NCAA Division I and II programs

 6 Players selected for CSA National Youth Teams

 8 Players on the VIU 2010 CCAA National Champions team

Riley O’Neill (Coached by Bill from U15 to U18)  Professional player for MYPA Finnish Premier League

 Played SV Wilhelmshaven and Eintracht Branshweig, German Professional League

 NCAA I University of Kentucky

 UK All-Time Scoring Leader in a single season

 Canada National U17 Team - 3 Appearances; Canada National U20 Team - 17 appearances

Clare Rustad (Coached from U16 to U18)  Canadian National Women’s Team - 45 Appearances

 XIII Pan American Games, 2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup

 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2008 Beijing Women’s Olympic Team

 4 Seasons NCAA I University of Washington Huskies

 Professional, Vancouver Whitecaps W- League

James Merriman (Coached from U8 to U18)  Current Simon Fraser University NCAA II Men’s Coach & Vancouver Whitecaps Youth Staff Coach  NCAA I University of Denver

 Professional Arena Soccer League Colorado Lightning

 PDL two seasons Colorado Rapid Reserves & Victoria Highlanders

 Canadian Youth National pool (U14 - U18)

Hana Taiji (Coached from U14 to U18)  NCAA I Ivy League Harvard University

 U20, U18 & U17 Canadian Youth National Team Player

 2007 Top Female Soccer Player in British Columbia

 Captain of the U16-U18 BC Team

Riley Taiji (Coached from U14 to U18)  NCAA I Ivy League Cornell University

 Canadian Youth National pool player

 BC Team U13- U18

Mike Seager (Coached from U15 to U17)  NCAA I University of Denver

 BC Provincial Team U13-U18

Rowan Anders (Coached from U12 to U18)  NCAA I Ivy League Dartmouth University

 BC Provincial team U13- U18

Chris Merriman ( Coached from U8 to U-18)  VIU 2010 National Champion

 U15 Canada National Team; U12-U18 BC Provincial Team

Tyler Merriman ( Coached from U8 to U18)  VIU PACWEST Silver Medalist

 U13-U16 BC Provincial Team

 U14 European Travel team

Bill Merriman’s Playing Experience:  CSA selection for Canadian Youth National Camps  Team BC National Champion  BC Provincial program player  Nanaimo United Men’s Team VISL Division I

Awards and Certifications:  Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Coach of the Year (2011)  Pacific Western Athletic Association Coach of the Year (2011)  Pacific Sport Coach of the Year (2010)  CCAA National Coach of the Year Nominee (2009)  Community Sports Hero award (2009)  BCCAA Coach of the Year (2009)  NDYSA Coach of the Year (2006)  B-Prep Certified, currently taking B Provincial exam

References:

Michael Findlay, Sr. Programs Coach & Director of Soccer Development for BC Soccer U-20 National Team Assistant Coach 604.299.6401 [email protected]

David Keith, BC Soccer Coach Instructor 250.477.6210 [email protected]

Bruce Hunter, Athletic Director, Vancouver Island University Office 250.740.6402 Cell 250.751.4004 [email protected]

Endorsements and Recommendations On following pages:

January 28, 2013

Upper Island South “Storm” VIPL Franchise 1009 Cedar Place Parksville, B.C. V9P 1S9

Re: Mr. Bill Merriman Reference Letter – Technical Director Upper Island South “Storm” VIPL Franchise

To Whom It May Concern:

I have known Bill as a player and a coach for the past 32 years and can honestly say that there are few on Vancouver Island with his passion and background in the game of soccer.

Bill as a player played for Mr. Dave Keith a renowned tactician from England that coached in the men’s league on Vancouver Island and the Provincial Teams Program on the mainland. Bill picked up many of David’s habits and they are clear to see in the way that he conducts himself in his coaching roles now.

Bill has led many successful programs and teams on Vancouver Island over the past twenty plus years and has been one of the most successful coaches at not just winning games and championships but at developing players. Many young players have gone through his programs and have come out on the other side as accomplished players and have gone on to earn scholarships at universities and colleges in Canada and the US.

I have watched Bill develop programs that are almost instantly successful and as such attract many players and coaches to his programs. He is very good at working with the players but also at attacking coaches to work with them as well. He is very good at mentoring coaches by using a combination of instruction and practical application which helps coaches learn from the best method that suits each coach.

I find Bill to be organized, focused and determined in his approach to his work. His philosophy is one of a possession based game but with clear purpose when attacking and defending. He understands that transitions in a game open up opportunities to get forward and score goals but also if required to keep possession until the opposition makes a tactical or numerical error. This is a skill that few coaches have but Bill does with ease.

I would recommend Bill to run any program that is interest in developing players and coaches both on and off the field. His years of experience will help any organization prevent the errors many encounter while in the growth stages of development.

If you require further information or have any questions please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Ken Garraway Learning Facilitator & Grassroots Tutor, BC Soccer January 28, 2013

Dear Sir/Madam;

I have known Bill Merriman for 20 years as a friend, colleague on the soccer pitch and in the boardroom. Bill is the most passionate soccer person I've known, his love for the game, his dedication and his teaching ability is second to none.

I was president of the Nanaimo Youth Soccer Club from 2002 to 2011, and during this time I was part of a committee that setup the DDC Nanaimo. In 2010 BC Soccer recognized DDC Nanaimo as the model for the rest of the province to follow. Bill was the Head Coach of the DDC during this time, and we had number of players move onto play at a higher level {Metro, BC Select} and Bill was a big part of overseeing their development.

Currently, he is the Head Coach of the Vancouver Island University Men's Soccer team - in the past three years they have won gold, silver and bronze at the National Championships, and most of the players on the team were coached by Bill during their youth playing days.

A couple of things that set Bill apart from the others is that he really cares about the players and his ability to communicate with players and coaches.

I have also coached with Bill at the metro level, so I got a firsthand look at his coaching skills. I highly and confidently recommend Bill Merriman for the position of Technical Director, he has the experience and the expertise for the position.

If you have any questions, please call my cell or reply by email.

Thank You

Anup Kang

Head Coach, Vancouver Island University Women's Soccer [email protected] 250- 756-8595 cell Native Indian Football Association 3065 Thorne Rd. Duncan. B.C.V9L 6V9 (250)510-4380 [email protected]

January 31, 2013 Re: letter of reference, Mr. Bill Merriman

To whom it may concern:

This is a support letter for Mr. Bill Merriman. I have known Bill for nearly 30 years as a soccer leader and a personal friend.

The work he has accomplished in the mid-island region through his soccer programs and working with Soccer organizations has been well documented. He has proven himself as a great leader, organizer , a coach, a respected family man , and mostly as an all-around good human being willing to help people in his community. You give respect you get it back.

As a Soccer Coach at all levels, Bill has left a legacy of winning and players gaining great opportunity as student athletes and advancing to elite programs from his program after receiving quality coaching and mentorship.

As a candidate for the Technical Development Position with VIPL I think Bill has all the experience at administrative level, strong proven coaching standards and a honest and hard-working rapport based on respect with people, within the Region of the VIPL program.

This is my support as the Head Coach of the Native Indian Football Association NIFA for Bill Merriman. We look forward to working with you all in 2013.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. You can contact me at (250)510-4380 or via email [email protected].

Respectfully Submitted, Dano Thorne, Head Coach NIFA Soccer Programs