There simply aren’t enough hours in the day for Esad Elkaz.
The RDC Queens soccer coach stepped away from the team last week after three seasons. Elkaz said it just became too much to balance his full-time job as well as technical director for the Red Deer City Soccer Association. He explained he’ll miss the Queens family dearly, including many of the players, some of which he’s worked with since they were eight-years-old.
“It’s going to stay with me for the rest of my life. It was an unbelievable time and I enjoyed every second of it and it was a really tough decision to make,” said the Queens soccer coach.
“I really wish them all the best in the future. I’m sure they are going to see a lot of success.”
Elkaz has been the coach for the last three seasons and posted a record of 15-14-5. In his time behind the bench, the team only advanced to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Championships once, in 2018 when they lost in the quarter-finals.
That was also his best season when he coached the Queens to an 8-2-2 mark.
“I would like to thank Esad for his contributions to our soccer program these past three seasons,” said RDC Athletic Director Diane St-Denis.
“Esad will be missed but I know his work over the last few years will serve as a building block for the incoming coach.”
While he won’t be behind the bench next year, Elkaz won’t be far from the pitch, saying he’ll be on the sideline cheering for all his old players.
“There’s a few of them I’ve been coaching since they were eight years old. I really understand them and they have to understand me. I will call them all. I will go to every home game that I can,” said Elkaz, who has quick to thank the RDC family for its help over his time as coach.
“It’s going to stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Recruiting for the new coach is expected to begin in the next few weeks.
More to come.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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