Jessie Burgins is an accomplished soccer executive, coach, and community leader with over a decade of experience in player development, club operations, and strategic leadership. He joined West Ottawa Soccer Club in 2025 following six successful years as Executive Director of Suburban FC, where he led significant growth and guided the club to become the only organization in Atlantic Canada to earn the Canada Soccer National Youth Club License, a testament to his commitment to high standards and national alignment.
In addition to his club leadership, Jessie recently served as Second Assistant Coach with the Halifax Wanderers of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), as well as Head Coach of their U21 team, gaining valuable experience at the professional level prior to his move to WOSC.
Jessie holds a Canada Soccer National ‘A’ License and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University, where he also competed at the U SPORTS level.
Known for his innovative programs and inclusive leadership style, Jessie brings a clear vision to WOSC, focused on raising standards, building strong partnerships, and creating meaningful opportunities for players and coaches across all levels.
Favourite Professional Team: Arsenal FC
Jessie Burgins
Executive Director
Cathy Briggs
Club Head Coach: WeeWarriors Programs
weewarriors@wosc.com
Cathy Briggs has 20+ years of coaching experience including assistant coach positions with Carleton University and Algonquin College Women’s Soccer teams. She holds a Provincial B License along with a U.S. National “Youth” Coaching License. Along with her coaching credentials, she holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree from Queens University and a Bachelor of Education degree from Dalhousie University.
Cathy is a two-time Club National Champion who has had five appearances at the Club Nationals. She is a member of the National Training camp as well as the Ontario Provincial Team. Her playing experience also extends to the Queens University Varsity Soccer Team where she was the team captain, a national champion, on the All Canadian Team, and the MVP of the University National Tournament.
Cathy Briggs
Club Head Coach: WeeWarriors Programs
Mike Popiel
Club Head Coach: Skill Centre (U8-11)
m.popiel@wosc.com
Mike Popiel has been a coach with the West Ottawa Soccer Club since 2014. He holds a National B License, an OSA B License and the NCCP Intro to Competition A & B certifications. Mike also has coaching experience as the club lead instructor for team training camps.
Mike has playing experience that includes playing for the WOSC Men’s Premier Team. He also played for various youth clubs in Montreal and won the title of MVP while playing for Carleton Place High School.
Favourite Professional Team – Manchester United FC
Mike Popiel
Club Head Coach: Skill Centre (U8-11)
Kevin Nelson
Club Head Coach: Competitive (U12-U18)
k.nelson@wosc.com
Kevin Nelson
Club Head Coach: Competitive (U12-U18)
Dan Popescu
Club Head Referee
Dan Popescu
Club Head Referee
Chelsea Currie
Women's Pathway Manager
c.currie@wosc.com
Qualifications:
-National C License
-Certified Mental Performance Consultant
-MA, Sport Psychology
Favourite Professional Team: Washington Spirit (NWSL)
c.currie@wosc.com
Coach Licenses:
– UEFA B
– CSA National B
– CSA Youth License
– CSA Children’s License
– SFA Youth Development License
Felician Univeristy Athletic’s Hall of Fame Induction 2014
Canada Soccer Youth International U17 & U18
Trinidad & Tobago Men’s National Team – Player Pool 2003
Assistant Coach – Carleton University Men’s Soccer
Kwame holds a National B License, as well as a Youth Development Coaching License from the Scottish FA.
Kwame played at the professional level in the Belgian, Portuguese, and Irish first divisions, as well as in Canada. He was a NCAA All America while at Felician College in 2000.
Based on his rich coaching experience in the community club, regional, and provincial environments and his track record of nurturing talents to the next level, Kwame is well suited for the task at hand.
Favourite Professional Team – Arsenal FC
Kwame Telemaque
Technical Director
Chris Bascelli
Operations Manager
c.bascelli@wosc.com
Coaching with WOSC since 2014 and working in a full-time operations role since 2016. Initially started as the club’s field coordinator before taking on the representative (competitive) program coordinator role. In 2019, took on the role of Operations Manager.
Currently holds a Canada Soccer National Youth License, and a Canada Soccer National B Part 1 License while coaching OPDL teams for WOSC.
Favourite Professional Team – AC Milan
Chris Bascelli
Operations Manager
Gianfranco Manto
Regional Coach
Playing History & Awards
OYSL player
ERSL Regional Champions
EODSA Region 5 Player
Position – Striker
Coaching License & Experience
OSA B License
High School Junior and Senior Coach
Coach for West Ottawa SC since 2014, various ages and levels
Favourite Professional Team – Tottenham Hotspurs
Gianfranco Manto
Regional Coach
Thomas Muir
OPDL Coach
Playing History & Awards
Concordia University Varsity Soccer Team 2009-2013
Concordia Soccer Male Rookie of the Year 2009-2010
ERSL & OYSL with various clubs in Ottawa
Current player for WOSC Men’s Premier Team
Position – Centre Back / Full Back
Coaching License & Experience
OSA C License
Experience with various ages and abilities
Coaching with WOSC since 2013
Favourite Professional Team – Manchester United FC
Thomas Muir
OPDL Coach
Jeff Seeton
Secretary
Over 10 years coaching soccer – Canada Soccer Children’s Diploma
Favorite Professional Team – Manchester United
Jeff Seeton
Secretary
Gavin Gonsalves
Gavin Gonsalves
Amanda White
Amanda White
Kyle Ingram
Regional Coach
Kyle Ingram
Regional Coach
Mike Watson
DC2 Coach
Mike Watson
DC2 Coach
Cemal Nile
Cemal Nile
Steve O'Kane
Steve O'Kane
Maaiyaa Sundralingam
Showcase Assistant Coach
Maaiyaa Sundralingam
Showcase Assistant Coach
Russell Shaw
Club Head Coach (U17+)
Russell Shaw is a new addition to the full time WOSC coaching staff. He is among a relatively small group of coaches within Canada who hold a National B License. Although relatively young still Russ has coached boys and girls of all ages and levels in the Ottawa area for over 15 years. Much of that time was spent coaching some of the provinces top-level teams in the OPDL and OYSL. Russ has a long list of coaching achievements which include; OYSL Provincial League and Playoff Champions, Ontario Cup Champions as well as playing a hand in developing players who are currently playing in England, Sweden, German, Italy and MLS Professional Academies.
Russ is our OPDL manager. He is currently Head Coach for our U18 Girls Showcase Team as well as our U14 Boys and U16 Girls OPDL Teams. He will also oversee several development programs during the winter months. He is excited with the clubs potential and we feel he will be a huge asset to our player’s development moving forward.
As a player Russ played for the Ottawa Wizards Professional Team in the CPSL in 2001 and 2002. Winning the League and Playoffs both years. After his stint with the Wizards Russ and a few of his teammates played for a Kanata Men’s team who went on to win the Ontario Cup and place 2nd at Nationals. In 2004 Russ attended Algonquin College where his team won the Collegiate OCAA Provincial Championship and he was named MVP. This was followed up with 2nd place finish at the 2004 National Championships.
Favourite Professional Team – Tottenham Hotspur FC
Russell Shaw
Club Head Coach (U17+)
Andrei Badescu
OPDL Goalkeeper Coach (U13-U18)
The goalkeeper position is a truly specialized role and specific training is key to developing the skills, fitness, and confidence to be a great goalkeeper. Goalkeepers must be physically strong, agile, courageous and have excellent communication and tactical skills to support their team. It’s no wonder that all professional soccer teams have separate, dedicated coaching staff for their goalkeepers.
No one knows this better than Andrei, with a long history in playing professionally as a goalie as well as coaching extensively. His player history includes the Montreal Impact and various professional teams in Romania and Switzerland. He started coaching with UQAM University in Montreal and was the Head Goalkeeper Coach at Montreal Impact Academy, Capital City FC and Kingston FC in the Canadian Soccer League. Andrei is passionate about providing goalkeepers the very best coaching and development opportunities.
WOSC and Andrei will develop comprehensive goalkeeper development opportunities for all skill levels. This will include group and private sessions separate from normal team practices. Sessions will focus on fitness, ball handling, positioning, mental acuity, and tactical training.
