Soccer star Eva Havaris joins Falcons coaching lineup this fall
Women's soccer is about to get world-class tutelage from a local star.
Former University of Western Ontario (UWO) mid-fielder Eva Havaris was announced earlier this summer as the new head coach for the Fanshawe women's soccer team.
Havaris says she is a natural for a position like this, and will bring a great deal of knowledge to the Fanshawe program. She is very excited about the upcoming year.
“It was just a matter of getting an opportunity to run my own program,” Havaris said. “I know I'm a bit younger, but with my wealth of experience as a player I think that's what you need.”
Havaris' playing career has taken her to the University of Detroit Mercy and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on athletic scholarships, and also to UWO where she won various awards including Canadian Interuniversity Sport female player of the year for soccer in 2002 and 2003.
This past summer Havaris represented UWO, and the entire country of Canada, at the World University Games held in Izmir, Turkey.
The World University Games is the second largest international multi-sport competition in the world, next to the Olympics. With approximately 2000 athletes representing 180 countries, Havaris said she was blown away by the magnitude of the event and how competitive the contests were.
“I've had some really great experiences, but I'd say the World University Games tops them all,” said Havaris.
Havaris says her playing experience will be very beneficial in helping her relate to the players and her coaching philosophy will be really geared towards them as well.
“I was always a leader when I played, very vocal, and very understanding of player's needs,” said Havaris. “My message is to be athlete centred, athlete focused, and I plan on creating a great experience for these girls that are coming through.”
Havaris started out as a camp instructor and later served as the coach for the Under-15 Super Nova, who last season captured a national title. Havaris also gained a lot of experience as the Assistant Coach for UWO's women's program last season.
Fanshawe Athletics Manager Mike Lindsay believes Havaris, who is working on her Masters degree in Sport Management, will be able to utilize her knowledge of sport to help improve Fanshawe's already powerful soccer program.
“She should make practices more exciting with her leading edge methods in coaching,” said Lindsay.
“The players should be able to respond and elevate their capabilities under her leadership,” he added.
Lindsay also said that Fanshawe should be able to maintain their status as one of the top soccer programs in college athletics, as Havaris' recruiting skills should attract many motivated quality players to the program.
Former University of Western Ontario (UWO) mid-fielder Eva Havaris was announced earlier this summer as the new head coach for the Fanshawe women's soccer team.
Havaris says she is a natural for a position like this, and will bring a great deal of knowledge to the Fanshawe program. She is very excited about the upcoming year.
“It was just a matter of getting an opportunity to run my own program,” Havaris said. “I know I'm a bit younger, but with my wealth of experience as a player I think that's what you need.”
Havaris' playing career has taken her to the University of Detroit Mercy and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on athletic scholarships, and also to UWO where she won various awards including Canadian Interuniversity Sport female player of the year for soccer in 2002 and 2003.
This past summer Havaris represented UWO, and the entire country of Canada, at the World University Games held in Izmir, Turkey.
The World University Games is the second largest international multi-sport competition in the world, next to the Olympics. With approximately 2000 athletes representing 180 countries, Havaris said she was blown away by the magnitude of the event and how competitive the contests were.
“I've had some really great experiences, but I'd say the World University Games tops them all,” said Havaris.
Havaris says her playing experience will be very beneficial in helping her relate to the players and her coaching philosophy will be really geared towards them as well.
“I was always a leader when I played, very vocal, and very understanding of player's needs,” said Havaris. “My message is to be athlete centred, athlete focused, and I plan on creating a great experience for these girls that are coming through.”
Havaris started out as a camp instructor and later served as the coach for the Under-15 Super Nova, who last season captured a national title. Havaris also gained a lot of experience as the Assistant Coach for UWO's women's program last season.
Fanshawe Athletics Manager Mike Lindsay believes Havaris, who is working on her Masters degree in Sport Management, will be able to utilize her knowledge of sport to help improve Fanshawe's already powerful soccer program.
“She should make practices more exciting with her leading edge methods in coaching,” said Lindsay.
“The players should be able to respond and elevate their capabilities under her leadership,” he added.
Lindsay also said that Fanshawe should be able to maintain their status as one of the top soccer programs in college athletics, as Havaris' recruiting skills should attract many motivated quality players to the program.
