Calgary Elite Training Program

• My Vision: To build Soccer Elite Academy into Calgary's premier destination for youth soccer development by combining a professional, sustainable business model with a deep passion for the beautiful game and a commitment to our community.
• Leadership & Background: As the Sporting Director, Jesse Reimer provides the vision and leadership for all of Soccer Elite Academy's operations in Calgary. A natural entrepreneur and a foundational member of the Calgary academy, Jesse has been a key component in its stability and success. He works in close collaboration with academy founder Ahmad Majed, ensuring the Calgary program is built on the same principles of excellence and integrity that define the Soccer Elite Academy name.
  Jesse's leadership is informed by valuable, hands-on coaching experience. He has previously coached U9 through U12 Tier 1 boys' teams at the Calgary Rangers Soccer Club, giving him a fundamental understanding of the competitive youth soccer landscape in the city.
  While he has a deep passion for coaching, Jesse now dedicates his full focus and energy to the strategic growth of the academy. His priority is building the best possible environment—from the quality of the coaching staff to the strength of the curriculum—for every single player in the program. He actively fosters strong relationships within the Albertan, Canadian and international soccer communities, creating a network that provides unique opportunities and elevates the reputation of the academy.

 Soccer Elite Academy is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew (Matt) Stevens as our new Technical Director. Matt brings a wealth of high-level playing experience and a deep, modern understanding of player development that will shape the future of our on-field programming.

Born in the football heartland of Blackburn, Lancashire, England, Matt's athletic journey began at an elite level. Before dedicating himself to soccer, he was a multi-sport athlete who represented the England Youth National Team in basketball from 1994-1998. This elite foundation in sport has shaped his dynamic approach to player development.

After moving to Canada, Matt established himself as one of the top players in the province, enjoying a decorated career that included playing for the Calgary Select Squad and dedicating 13 years to the Alberta Major League Soccer (AMSL) from 2002 to 2015. His passion for the game continues today as he still competes at the Masters elite level.

Matt’s true strength lies in his exceptional coaching and analytical qualifications. He holds the Canada Soccer C-Licence and the highly-regarded Children's Diploma, emphasizing his expertise in age-appropriate youth development. His knowledge is further enhanced by a comprehensive suite of advanced certifications, including:

• Professional Football Scouting Association (PFSA): Certified in Talent Identification, Performance Analysis, Opposition Analysis, and Technical Scouting.
• English FA: Certified in Talent Identification, Futsal, and holds the FA Playmaker award.

As Technical Director, Matt will be the architect of Soccer Elite Academy's on-field philosophy. He will oversee curriculum development, guide our coaching staff, and ensure that every player is developing within an expert-led, modern, and competitive environment. We are incredibly excited to have him and our other high performing coaches lead us into our next chapter.

 Coaching Philosophy: To forge complete athletes by building a foundation of elite physical literacy, focusing on explosive power, speed, agility, and robust injury prevention to unlock each player's maximum potential.

• Experience & Qualifications: Soccer Elite Academy is proud to have a coach of Hichem Saidi's calibre leading our physical development programs. With over 16 years of international experience, Hichem is a world-class performance coach who has trained athletes at the highest levels of sport, including professional club standouts and Olympians.
  Before becoming an elite coach, Hichem was an elite athlete himself. He was a national and international-level middle-distance runner who spent over six years competing for the Tunisian National Team. A highlight of his career was earning a silver medal as Vice-Champion of Africa (U18) in the 4x400m relay.
  Hichem’s coaching career has spanned continents, from leading national-level programs with the Tunisian Ministry of Youth & Sports to serving as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Etoile Sportive du Sahel, a premier professional sports club in Tunisia. Since moving to Calgary, he has continued his high-performance work as the Head Fitness Coach for the Aforza Multi-Sport Program and currently, the Alberta Tennis Centre.
  His track record of developing elite talent is proven. Among the many athletes he has trained are:
  • Mohamed Haj Mahmoud (Professional Soccer Player for FC Lugano, Switzerland)
  • Hamza Nagga (Olympian, Tunisian National Volleyball Team)
  • Noureddine Hfaiedh (Olympian & Former National Volleyball Team Captain)
  • Majed Kilani (ATP-Ranked Professional Tennis Player)
• He holds multiple advanced university diplomas and certifications in athletic training, strength and conditioning, and sport speed systems. As Director of Player Fitness, Hichem brings an unparalleled level of expertise to building stronger, faster, and more resilient soccer players.

• Coaching Philosophy: To empower players with clear, objective insights into their performance, helping them develop a deeper tactical understanding of the game and accelerate their development.
• Experience & Qualifications: Vasil brings a unique and multifaceted background in high-level football analysis to Soccer Elite Academy. His journey in the sport began on the pitch as a goalkeeper, where he was recognized as the top U12 goalkeeper in a major city tournament.
  For over a decade, Vasil has worked as a professional football analyst, writer, and editor for major international sports publications. His expertise was recognized on an international stage when he was named the Best Football Writer for Sports.ru during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a testament to his deep analytical and tactical knowledge.
  Leveraging this analytical foundation, Vasil began working as a freelance technical and video scout in 2020, providing talent identification and opposition analysis for professional clubs in Europe. His formal education in scouting is extensive and includes:
  • The Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA):
    • Talent Identification in Football (Level 2)
    • Technical Scouting in Football (Level 1)
    • Opposition Analysis in Football (Level 1)
  • Sports Management Worldwide: Soccer Management and Scouting
  • England Football Learning: Introduction to Talent Identification in Football
• Vasil has also completed his foundational Canadian coaching certifications, including Making Ethical Decisions, Respect in Sport, and is "theory-trained" across all grassroots age groups from U4 to U13+.

Focus at the Academy: As the Director of Player Analysis & Evaluation, Vasil is responsible for implementing the academy’s analysis program. He provides detailed feedback to players and coaches on both individual performance and team tactics, transforming recorded data into a powerful tool for learning and improvement.