MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact introduced Yoann Damet, Marcelo Corrales, O’Neal Maoukola, Massimo Di Ioia and Félix Cardin on Tuesday, as the coaches of the club’s new Pre-Academy program (U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12 teams).
“The selection process for the coaches of the Pre-Academy was done very carefully in order to ensure that the candidates shared the same values and ideas about the development of young players,” said Impact Academy Director Philippe Eullaffroy. “It is important that our developmental philosophy and our identity on the pitch are installed immediately within our U8-U12 teams. We are very pleased with the men and the instructors that we have chosen, and we are proud to have them join our group.”
Yoann Damet
Yoann Damet (pictured above), head coach of the Impact U12 and assistant fitness coach within the Academy, will also serve as the Pre-Academy’s coordinator. He holds a UEFA B coaching licence and a university degree in Sports Training (soccer specific, France). Damet was the coach of the U13 team for Beaume FC, from 2006 to 2011, and then with Jura Sud Foot from 2011 to 2013. Prior to joining the Impact, he was also coach of the U11 and assistant coach of the U15 teams with Inter-Ligues de Dijon FCO. He also played for Beaume FC from 2000 to 2011 and with Jura Sud Foot from 2011 to 2013.
Marcelo Corrales
Brossard-native Marcelo Corrales, who holds a National A licence, will be the head coach of the U11 team. Coach for more than 15 years on the South Shore, he was a coach and program coordinator for both elementary and sport-etudes programs with College Francais. Technical director with Brossard Soccer and FC Sélect Rive-Sud from 2002 to 2006, he served as executive coach with ARS Lanaudière since 2007.
U10 head coach O'Neal Maoukoula
O’Neal Maoukola
The U10 team will be headed up by O’Neal Maoukola, who holds a Provincial B licence and a Sports Training Licence. He was a coach with the C.A. Paris school from 2006 to 2012 and is now coordinator with the Montreal Impact Soccer Schools (since 2013). In Quebec, he’s played for Boisbriand in the Quebec Premier League in 2012 and then with the Outremont Griffons AAA team in 2013.
Massimo Di Ioia
The head coach of the U9 team is former player Massimo Di Ioia, who holds a provincial B licence. Having worn a number of hats with ARS Lac St-Louis, he was most recently named the technical director of the Lakeshore Soccer Club. He played 24 games with the Impact in second division from 2006 to 2008. Di Ioia also spent time with the Canadian U20 national team in 2006-2007, with the Carolina RailHawks U23 side in 2010 and with Saint-Leonard in the PLSQ in 2011 and 2012. He continues to play for the McGill University Redmen.
U8 head coach Felix Cardin
Félix Cardin
The U8 team will be run by Félix Cardin, who played five seasons with the Impact Academy from 2009 to 2013. He also appeared in a few MLS Reserve League matches in 2012 and 2013. He has a national coaching certification and has been a coach with the Impact soccer schools from the age of 16.
Owen Braun
The coaching staff will be rounded out by Owen Braun. Currently the goalkeepers coach with the U13 and U14 teams, he’ll take on the same function for the Pre-Academy. After coaching keepers with the Quebec provincial teams, the Canadian national women’s team and McGill, he joined the Impact Academy in 2011.
Please note that the Pre-Academy now joins the existing structure of the club, which is already made of U13, U14, U16, U18, U23 and professional teams. The Pre-Academy kicks things off on April 14.
