Hart named Canadian League Coach of the Year

TT’s Stephen Hart is the Canadian Premier League’s (CPL) coach of the year after taking Halifax Wanderers FC – who finished last in 2019 – to the 2020 championship final.

The former men’s national football team coach received the award on Thursday evening. And TT’s Akeem Garcia also copped an award, winning the CPL Golden Boot.

Hart became coach of Halifax Wanderers in June 2018.

In the 2019 spring season, Wanderers were in fourth place with 11 points from ten matches after three wins, two draws and five losses.

And in the fall season, they finished at the bottom of the table with 17 points from 18 games. They won three matches, drew eight and lost seven.

Calvary topped the table with 38 points from 11 wins, five draws and only two losses.

But this time around, they finished the season in second place earning 12 points from seven matches. They won and drew three matches and only lost one. They, along with table-toppers Calvary, Forge and Pacific advanced to the final four.

They made it to the final on September 19 and faced Forge but lost 2-0.

Despite not winning the championship, Hart still had a successful season.

In an interview on Saturday night, Hart said the team tried its best and managed to still do well despite “what the world is going through” – the covid19 pandemic.

“I was trying, I guess (that) would be the right word. But, you know, we were just grateful in the end to be in a situation where we were allowed to play somewhat of a season and be fairly successful through it.”

He said he feels “flattered and honoured” to receive the award, which he had apparently forgotten he was nominated for, but emphasised it was a “team effort".

Hart said, “One person gets the praise but really I had tremendous support. I am very aware that it takes an entire team – players, staff, club operations, the backroom staff to make everything go right.”

He was nominated for the award alongside Forge’s Bobby Smyrniotis and Atletico Ottawa’s Miguel “Mista” Martinez.

Hart said both coaches are fantastic, and the league is filled with similar-type coaches.

Asked what he did differently this season which led to the remarkable turnaround, he replied, “The first time around, there were a lot of regulations as to how you could formulate the team. But this time around, with a year under our belt, the regulations were different and we began sort of putting together the players with the profile and qualities we were looking for.

“But more importantly, the sort of attitude and approach that the players had as footballers. That brought a certain amount of chemistry, a certain rhythm, a certain vibe, which was important in difficult circumstances, they handled it well.”

As for what’s next, he said despite setbacks caused by the pandemic, he will continue “scouting, building, trying to resign players we want to come back.

“We’ve had success with that. We are trying to get some new players because we know we need to be stronger so a lot of time is being spent on that.”

The team will next be able to meet in February.

Garcia scored his way to the golden boot with six goals in ten matches for the season.

At the virtual ceremony, he said, “I feel really good. I think we did well coming from last to send. It was a success even if we didn’t win the championship.

“And I think coach got us to do what he planned for this season which was communicating better with each other.”