The UBC Thunderbirds are pleased to announce the appointment of AndreaNeil as the new head coach of the women’s soccer team.
Neil, a University of British Columbia graduate and former Thunderbirds standout player, is one of the most decorated soccer players Canada ever produced, with 132 appearances in a Canadian jersey and representing her country at 4 World Cups (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007).
While she often worked as a coach throughout her playing career, she turned to the profession full time following her retirement as an athlete in 2007.
Since then she has achieved her UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) ‘A’ professional coaching license and has worked as an assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s Senior and U20 national teams up to 2011.
“UBC is my alma mater and therefore it was a definite yes to take on this role,” said Andrea Neil. “I have a deep sense of gratitude and belonging with this school and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned in the game and to give back to a new generation of players.”
“We are delighted to welcome Andrea back to UBC,” said Theresa Hanson, UBC’s Associate Director of Athletics. “Her resume speaks for itself.
In this country Andrea is a soccer icon who has dedicated her life to the sport over the last 20 plus years and our players will benefit greatly from her extensive experience and knowledge of the game.”
The Vancouver native played at UBC from 1989-1995, leading the Thunderbirds to a CIAU National Championship in 1994. She was named the Marilyn Pomfret Award winner in 1993 as UBC’s top female athlete and graduated with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics in 1996.
As well as being a member of the Canadian Women’s National Team from 1990-2007, she also played six seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps Women’s FC (2001-2006), leading the club to two W-League Championships in 2004 and 2006.
“Experience in life as well as in the field of play is incredibly important for a coach,” said Neil. “I’ve been very lucky to have some really great experiences at very high levels throughout the world; hopefully this will give me something to share with UBC’s student athletes.” Neil’s coaching career began as an assistant under Mosher at UBC from 1997-1999.
From there she went on to work as the head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girl’s Elite Youth Program (2004-06), an assistant coach with the Vancouver Whitecaps Women’s FC (2004-06), and as an assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s Senior National Team and U20 National Team (2009-2011).
Most recently she was working as a technical consultant and motivational speaker, as well as an Ambassador for the BC Children’s Hospital LEAP Program. Now she is eager to begin her next challenge.
Following her playing career she was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame (2009), the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (2011), the BCSports Hall of Fame (2012), and the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame (2012).
