January 30, 2016 League 1 Ontario--FC London Announce Head Coaches, New Logo, First Signing (from League 1 Ontario website)

FC London Announce Head Coaches, New Logo, First Signing
01/30/2016, 9:15am EST
By League1 Ontario staff

FC London announced 2016 head coaches for their new League1 Ontario men's and women's sides on Wednesday afternoon, 
unveiled a fresh new logo, and announced their first signing for the women's side - ex-Canada striker Jade Kovacevic.

"Jade was a member of the Under-20 Canadian Women's National Team at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 
in Japan," said FC London General Manager David DeBenedictis.

"She had an outstanding freshman year at NCAA's Louisiana State University and, most recently playing for 
Fanshawe College, she broke the Ontario record and tied the national record for most goals in a season."

FC London has had a short but eventful six-year existence, most recently competing in the USL Premier 
Development League (PDL).

"The club played it's first years in PDL, winning the national PDL title," said DeBenedictis.

"With the new long term player development, we felt now was a good time to join and support the OSA 
and CSA player pathway. We feel this will be a great opportunity for youth players to have a clear 
direction and motivation to one day play in League1."

One motivating force will be the quality of coaching on offer. The London based club announced two 
outstanding coaches for the men's and women's programs; ex-Dynamo Zagreb U21 assistant coach and 
UEFA Pro licensed Mario Despotovic will coach the men's side, while ex-professional player and 
two-time national champion Mike Marcoccia will helm the women's section. 

"Mario is one of the most brilliant soccer minds we have met," explained DeBenedictis.

"His knowledge of the technical and tactical sides of the game is incredible, and he has come to Canada 
from Croatia to gain experience in a different culture, hopefully to create a lasting impression and 
raise the soccer bar for coaching."

"Mike Marcoccia has become one of the top young coaches in this region," said DeBenedictis. "He has 
proven at all levels of youth to develop, motivate and inspire young players."

"This will now be the next step in his coaching career and we have no doubt he will continue 
his success."

FC London also unveiled a bold new logo, signalling a new design and direction for the southern 
Ontario club.

"Joining League1, we wanted to make a fresh, new exciting start, and gear to a look that will 
excite young fans," explained DeBenedictis.

"This year we are working with Umbro as our uniform sponsor, and the new uniform will be realized 
at a later date."

Finally, FC London declared a strategic partnership with a local development club, designed 
to create a pipeline of players for the future. 

"We have affiliated with AG London, a high-performance youth soccer program led 
by Jose "Garrincha" Figueiredo, one of the top trainers in Ontario," said DeBenedictis.

"In a short two years, AG London has had immediate success, winning back-to-back indoor 
Ontario Cups for both 2002 Boys and 2002 Girls, while playing beautiful, modern soccer."

"AG London players will now be able to look towards playing for the FC London League1 
men's and women's teams."

back to 2016 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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