Edmonton Sting FC Technical Team
At Edmonton Sting FC, we pride ourselves on having some of the best technical staff in the City of Edmonton. Our dedicated Technical Team is committed to the consistent development of players across all teams, ensuring alignment with the various streams in the CSA pathway. By focusing on enhancing the competitive edge of our teams, we facilitate seamless progression for players as they advance through age groups.
Get to know the talented individuals dedicated to developing our players and supporting their journey in the beautiful game!
Director of Soccer Operations
Armando Sanchez Lona
Currently enrolled in his CONCACAF A-Diploma, with completion expected by July 2025, Armando is an accredited Canada Soccer ‘B’ and ‘C’ licensed coach, with additional accreditations in Canada Soccer Youth Goalkeeping and United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Youth Goalkeeper Diploma. Armando brings extensive experience in both soccer administration and on-field coaching with active coaching roles in the Vancouver Whitecaps prospect and development programs for both boys and girls, U of A Panda’s Female program, Grant MacEwan Female and Male teams, as well as a League 1. Armando will have responsibility to develop, implement and report on all technical programming for Edmonton Sting FC.
Technical Lead 1 (TL1) - Girls
Elise Emmott
Elise's experience as a successful National Championship and NTC player, as an elite player in advanced programs (UWS, USPORTS, CWEST), as Assistant Coach for the University of Alberta Pandas soccer, experience playing Futsal in the Edmonton Futsal League, and experience as Senior Girls Coach in Soccer for the Jasper Place High-School are all a great asset to the Club.
Technical Lead 1 (TL1) - Boys and Futsal Program Coordinator (FPC)
Oleksandr (Alex) Popravka
Alex brings extensive international experience to Edmonton Sting FC as the Technical Lead 1 (TL1) for the Boys Program and Futsal Program Coordinator (FPC). Originally from Ukraine, Alex is an accomplished soccer and futsal athlete with national medals in Ukraine and provincial championships in Canada. Most recently, he excelled as a goalkeeper with MacEwan Griffins men's soccer, further highlighting his technical proficiency and leadership skills. In his role, Alex is responsible for guiding the development of youth players, coordinating futsal activities, and fostering a culture of excellence and character growth on and off the field.
Goalkeeping Coach
Stephen Lee
Stephen is a dedicated goalkeeper coach with a rich background in competitive soccer. Hailing from Stockport, Greater Manchester, he started his journey with the Stockport Junior Blues and advanced to academy level, where he cultivated a strong understanding of the goalkeeper position. After relocating to Canada, he played in the Manitoba and Edmonton leagues, honing his skills and on-field leadership. Now two years into his coaching career, Stephen is passionate about guiding aspiring goalkeepers to reach their full potential. His coaching philosophy centers on agility, positioning, and mental resilience, striving to develop well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the field.
Grassroots Coordinator
Amanda Torres
Amanda is the Grassroots Coordinator at Edmonton Sting FC, overseeing the development and delivery of programming for players aged U4-U7. Amanda designs and maintains session plans, drills, and outlines aligned with the club’s technical vision. She collaborates closely with the Administrator and Technical Director to ensure a positive and effective learning environment. Amanda also manages and supervises Youth and Grassroots Coaches, emphasizing quality training experiences. She is actively onsite, ensuring excellence during all Grassroots activities and promoting foundational skill development and enthusiasm for the game among young athletes.
Meet the Technical Staff
Hailey Campbell
Hailey is dedicated to fostering a supportive and skill-focused environment for all players.
Tom Kovacs
Tom’s extensive background and enthusiasm for soccer make him a valuable member of our technical staff.
Marni Moses
Marni is committed to providing high-quality training and player development.
