Academy Coaches
Shawn Agnew
Founder/Owner
Coach Shawn grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia and after training extensively under the Corban “Brazilian” Soccer School in Vancouver was sent to train with G.D. Chaves, in Chaves Portugal in 2002. The following year, Shawn was given the opportunity to train and sign with Uniao Sao Joao U-20 in Araras, Brazil, and then train with S.C. Corinthians U-20 & Professional B in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He continued his career in Portugal where he played in their Regional Division under G.D. Valpacos. Unfortunately, Shawn was battling a rare exercise induced condition called chronic compartment syndrome which ended his career short and resulted in surgery.
Shawn attended Trinity Western University where he majored in Sports Science and received his National Coaching Certification (NCCP). Shawn played for TWU’s varsity team, who were ranked #1 in Canada. They went on to win the CIS Western League and Western Conference Championship. Despite Shawn’s injury, his passion for soccer has been unfailing, which motivated him to continue his coaching with the American USSF coaching stream in Seattle & California and in 2017 got the opportunity to be mentored at TOVO Institute just outside Barcelona which is Directed by Todd Beane the business partner and son-in-law of the famous & legendary Johan Cruyff. Here Shawn received his Term 1 and Term 2 Certification which re-programmed the Academy's context of training style, session planning, and which principles of play are prioritized. In 2023 and 2024 Shawn attended courses at Ajax FC in Amsterdam, Holland where his goal was to further his education and get the opportunity to work with the top youth coaches in the world.
Additionally, Shawn is an avid supporter of Futsal (Indoor Soccer) & holds a Futsal Diploma from the United States. Futsal is a fast-paced variation of indoor soccer that is widely used in other countries. Futsal is much more technical as the outdoor counterpart which uses a smaller ball and a smaller playing surface. This encourages and develops quicker ball handling and greater ball precision. These specific skills that are developed while playing Futsal, follow the player onto the outdoor field, which gives them a competitive advantage that is usually only seen in European, or South American countries.
Education
Training & Professional Experience
Academy Sporting Director
U18 Boys University Prep Team - Head Coach
U18 Girls University Prep Team - Head Coach
U17 Boys Team - Head Coach
University Placement Manager
Adam Day is a UEFA A-Licensed Coach with international experience at the highest level in both Europe and North America. A native of London, United Kingdom, he has extensive experience in playing and coaching various levels in four different countries, including the United States and Greece. A former player at clubs including Charlton Athletic and AFC Bournemouth. He served as the U17 Head Coach at the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for 3-1/2 successful years. Adam also worked for the Premier League giants ARSENAL as one of their academy coaches in the United Kingdom and Greece. Adam won the Olympic Gold as part of the coaching staff for the Canadian Women’s Senior National Team.
Adam has influenced many high-performance players through the years such as Alphonso Davies. He nurtured Alphonso’s early development when Alphonso has recently agreed to join the German powerhouse Bayern München, for an MLS record of $22m. In addition to having obtained the UEFA A-License, French FFF License, UEFA Elite formation license, CSA Child License, as well as a BSc Degree in Physical Education. Adam brings a holistic approach to both his thinking and his coaching. His core beliefs for development are hard work, discipline, and enjoyment, with the latter being paramount to success both in life and football. These pillars have been evident in each of his previous roles both in Europe and North America.
EDUCATION
Adam Days
Coach
Endre Szilagyi
Coach
Endre Szilagyi was born and raised in Romania where he started his career from an early age. At the age of 16, Endre was selected for the U-17 Romanian National Team (1986 & 1987). From here Endre played professional soccer in Romania and Hungary while studying sports science at University until the 1989 Romanian revolution caused him to move to Toronto, Canada which in result effected his playing career. In Toronto, Endre played semi pro and Premier amateur up until 1999. In 1998, he was co-owner and manager of the Mississauga Eagles in the former CPSL. After some significant injuries Endre got the chance to move to Vancouver area in 2009 where he dived into community club coaching and spent over five years with West Coast Auto Group in Maple Ridge.
Premier Academy has brought on Endre due to his past experiences, current knowledge and drive to transition himself into the best possible coach he can be. In March 2018, Premier sent Endre to the TOVO Institute which has provided him a new perspective. In 2019, Endre begun his pursuit to be a licensed scout and agent through Sports Management Worldwide out of Portland, Oregon. Endre is now certified player agent & player scout which allows him to represent players wanting to pursue the professional pathway.
Education
Training & Professional Experience
Diego Iribar
U11 Junior Boys - Head of coach
Diego Iribar has been around the game for over 40 years and been playing for all his life. He is a preferred coach for the ages U8 to U12 where he is very organized, disciplined, and allows the athletes to grow their game and have fun doing it. Diego has taken the TOVO Institute V1 course and TOVO 7 a side course in 2020.
Diego has also completed: Respect in Sport and also holds a Canadian Soccer Association Active Start, Fundamentals and Soccer For Life certificate. Currently, Diego will be the Head Coach of 2013-2015 Team.
Dennis Schmidt
Academy Goalkeeper Coach & 1:1 Academy Coach
Dennis Schmidt brings to the Academy over 30 years of teaching and coaching experience! Coach Schmidt has coached both male and female athletes and all tiers, levels, and ages. Coach Schmidt has earned multiple degrees from the University of British Columbia which include: B.PE (Instruction and Coaching), Bachelors in Education from the University of Calgary and a Masters in Education Leadership. Coach Schmidt also holds his NCCP (National Coaching Certificate Program) & holds his BC Soccer Provincial Coaching License.
The past 16 years Dennis Schmidt has been a teacher at Westview Secondary School in Maple Ridge where he is the Sporting Director & Head Coach of the school's popular soccer Academy. During this time, he has had the opportunity to coach & mentor hundreds of international and local soccer players who have contributed to a vibrant and enthusiastic community.
Due to all this coaching experience, Coach Schmidt has pivoted into specializing in 1 on 1 Training. Here he has created a high performance environment that assists athletes to reaching their goals and full potential which translate to game performances.
"Respect your talent and then find out how exceptional you can become!"
D.O.S.
Coach Jessica Marano is a speed, agility, quickness and strength coach while also specializing in mental strength & performance! Jessica holds her BC Soccer C coaching licence. During the day, Jessica is currently an Education Service Teacher for the Surrey School District where she teaches High School Students that are at-risk! Jessica is a former standout player for Simon Fraser University’s Women’s varsity soccer team and a current player of Coastal FC Women’s Premier Team.
Jessica received her Bachelor of Education and attains a minor in curriculum & instruction and kinesiology from SFU. Jessica also has a Masters degree in Trauma and Resilience from Concordia University. Jessica has been playing for 18 years, coaching for 12 years, and teaching for four!
In 2022, she participated in the Maccabi Games in Israel as Canada’s U18 Girls Assistant Coach, where she won the Bronze Medal.
She is excited to continue supporting our athletes through their soccer journey!
Jessica Marano
Coach
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Academy Mental Strength Coach
Academy Academic Counselor
U16 Academy - Coach
U15 Academy - Head Coach
U11 Academy - Assistant Coach
CAED STRELAU
Coach
Coach Caed is the very first Premier Academy athlete that begun the Academy in 2014 as the Academy started its supplement training. His generation also started the full time programming in Spring 2017 and proceeded throughout the unfortunate COVID 19 phase until High School Graduation. Coach Caed was the Academy's captain and starting centre back sitting at 6'5 ft. He started every game and was an integral part to the team's DNA.
Coach Caed made a pinnacle decision in his life and decided to not pursue the substantial University interest multiple Universities coaches had and purely focus on a youth coaching career due to his unfailing passion for youth development. Coach Caed immediately proceeded to take his BC Soccer coaching courses and in January 2023 Coach Caed was sent to TOVO Institute in the Barcelona, Spain region where he learned from our overseas mentorship team regarding the Academy's philosophy, principles of play, and curriculum that he was engrained in for many years as an Academy player.
Caed's passion for player development, tactics, and youth mentorship is profound. Coach Caed's goal is to receive an A License/badge, receive a degree in Sports Management or Sports & Recreation studies and continue to be mentored in Europe!
