Our coaches and technical team have experience coaching, playing, and staffing at the highest levels of Canada soccer.
Justin Springer
Head Coach
Assistant coach at the University of Guelph for 3 seasons;
Technical Manager of the Guelph Junior Gryphons;
Captained the Gryphon team to the 2016 OUA gold and U Sport bronze medals;
Started in the inaugural CPL game in Hamilton with a debut for York 9 and played regularly throughout their inaugural season;
Represented his country St Kitts and Nevis, winning 15 caps in international competitions along the way.
Don Ferguson
Assistant Coach, Goalie Coach & U21 Head Coach
University of Guelph soccer goalie coach for men’s and women’s program since 2011;
Former Canadian National Team Member who earned his first cap in a 1985 win over Trinidad and Tobago;
Played professionally in England as well as in the CSL in Canada;
OUA championship and a bronze medal at the U SPORTS Championships in 2016 with the Gryphon’s men’s program, and an OUA gold medal with the women in 2017;
Coached in League 1 Ontario with Aurora FC and North Mississauga.
Andrew Agyare-Tabbi
Assistant Coach
Guelph Soccer Technical Staff
U14 Guelph Soccer Head Coach
Led the John F. Ross Junior Soccer Team as Head Coach to victory in the 2022/23 championship
Keith Mason
Director of Soccer Operations
University of Guelph soccer men’s Head Coach since 2000;
University of Guelph soccer women’s Head Coach 1989-1996;
OUA West and U Sports Coach of the Year 2011;
Staff Coach at Ontario Soccer Association 1992-2013;
Member of coaching staff for Team Canada at FISU games 2003, 2011, 2015.
Mickael Rougette
U21 Assistant and U20 Head Coach
Guelph Soccer Club, Head Coach U16 - U19, 2018-2021
Guelph Soccer Technical Staff, 2018-2020
University of Guelph Men’s Soccer, Team Manager, 2019-2021
Conestoga College Men’s Soccer, Assistant Coach, 2023
2023 OCAA (Provincials) Gold Medal, CCAA (Nationals) Silver Medal with Conestoga College
Estee Black
Team Resident Physiotherapist
Honours B.Sc. in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph & Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Western
Resident Physiotherapist at Defy Sports Performance & Physiotherapy
Completed Sports Physiotherapy Fellowship, working towards Sports Physiotherapy Certificate
Worked with Varsity athletics at the University of Guelph, acting as Lead Therapist for Men’s Soccer, Volleyball and Wrestling
Justine Tobin
Assistant Team Resident Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Kinesiology from UBC & Masters of Physiotherapy from Queen's University
University level field-hockey athlete & adventure sport enthusiast
Resident Physiotherapist at Defy Sports Performance & Physiotherapy
Sport Physiotherapy Certification Candidate
Enthusiastic about treating sports injuries as well as preventative care
Laura Lando
Defy Rehabilitation Facilitator & Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Science from Fordham University & Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Columbia University
Collegiate D1 Soccer Athlete & Member of National Training Program as a youth
Physiotherapist & Owner at Defy Sports Performance & Physiotherapy
Over 10 years experience treating orthopedic and sports injuries
Aidan Nolan
Student Trainer
4th year of BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo
2021 Head Student Trainer for Waterloo United League 1
Student Trainer for UW Men's Rugby
Student Volunteer at Defy Sports Performance & Physiotherapy and the Centre for Community, Clinical, and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE)
Previous player for Oakville Blue Devils and UW Men's Soccer
Aseel Alsayed
Athletic Trainer
BSc. in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph
Extensive training to work with athletes in both clinical and on-field settings
Has experience across a number of sports including in basketball, wrestling, track and field, and soccer