Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com
Friday, November 8, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dutch Lions FC has signed Sid van Druenen as the new Head Coach of its USL PRO team. Van Druenen will take over the role from Patrick Bal, who left the club following the 2013 season for a coaching position in Thailand. Van Druenen joined the Dayton Dutch Lions FC in 2011 and was Head Coach of the club's W-League team in 2013, leading the side to its first regular season Conference Championship.
"In the last two years I have always been able to challenge and development myself continuously within the Dayton Dutch Lions FC organization," van Dreuenen said. "Being the new Head Coach of the USL PRO team for the 2014 season is another great step in my coaching career and I want to thank the club and Mike Mossel for the many opportunities I have been given since I've joined the club as a youth coach in 2011. Now my main focus is putting together a competitive roster so we can continue to build on last seasons success."
Dutch Lions President Mike Mossel said van Druenen was pleased to announce the hiring as the Dutch Lions look to build on reaching the playoffs for the first time this past season.
“When we found out Patrick was leaving to go to Thailand we looked at who is best capable of continuing the path we set our three years ago, and that is to climb the USL PRO ladder every year," Mossel said. "We had some high-caliber candidates, but based on what Sid has done with the Women’s team this year – both on and off the field by building a good relationship with the local universities, community and academy – Sid was my first choice. Besides his success with the Women’s team he knows the league, our players and vision and culture of our club. He is also very composed, authentic and committed. I am convinced he is the right person to keep our current team together and add some extra quality so we can compete again for the playoffs in 2014 and get our fans excited again like last year.”
Van Druenen started his coaching career in Portugal at the age of 18. 12 years later he has coaching experience with all ages, genders and levels in Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States. Van Druenen also holds a bachelor degree in sport science, the UEFA 'B'coaching license and will be taking his 'A' license coaching course in January, 2014.