SHERBROOKE, Que. – "I want Bishop's to be a destination for girls to come to continue their education and athletics," said Paul Ballard, the newest member of the Bishop's Gaiters family.  He will take the reins as head coach of the university's women's soccer program starting in August. 
 
Ballard makes his way to Lennoxville from Langley, B.C. where he was an assistant coach with Trinity Western Spartans men's soccer team and coach of the Coquitlam Metro-Ford U13 team. He is also the National Soccer Director for Athletes in Action.
 
Current coaches Amanda Dewey-Plante and Chris Hornibrook will continue their involvement with the team in a support role while Robert Pinkston is moving out of the region and will have to part ways with the purple and silver.
 
Ballard also had a stellar playing career before turning to coaching.  He was a two-time all-Canadian and bronze medal winner at the CIS National Championships when he suited up for Trinity Western University (TWU) from 2001-2006. He also enjoyed a stint on the Canadian National under-20 team and played professional soccer from 2005-2012.
 
When he traded his cleats for a clipboard Ballard immediately looked to expand his resume.  He coached with TWU and earned is UEFA 'B' License from the Irish Football Association. He's currently admitted in a program for his 'A' License that is slated for June of this year. He is also completing Masters in Leadership at his alma mater.  
 
He credits his development to the strong supporting cast at the Canada West institution.
 
"I will always look back at my time at TWU both as a player and coach with fond memories," he said. "I have learned a lot from the school and athletic department about what it means to be a complete champion. Al Alderson, Mike Shearon, Pat Rohla and Graham Roxburgh all showed belief in me as a player, a person and a coach.  They valued me for not who I was but who I could become.
 
"As a coach I was ready for a new challenge," Ballard added when asked why he decided to make the trek to Bishop's. "I set high goals and expectations for myself.  It has been my dream to be a CIS head coach one day so when the opportunity came my way I had to give it a really good look."
 
While at Bishop's Ballard will continue to work with Athletes in Action as the National Soccer Director. He will oversee a team across Canada that runs international soccer tours, community soccer camps, coaching development and other local outreaches.  He and his family will be the only Athletes in Action Staff in Quebec and he will look to advance the program into other communities across the province with ambitions of reaching into Eastern Canada.
 
His challenge to compete in the RSEQ might just be his toughest endeavour of all but Ballard is ready to put his best foot forward. Bishop's enters the 2016 campaign on the heels of a winless 2015. They have struggled in the conference where a number of teams are often in the CIS Top-10.
 
"My goal for 2016 is to build off the foundation and create a brand for Bishop's Women's Soccer," he said. "From all accounts the previous coaching staff has set up a great team culture which has led to the returning group of players being a tight unit. We have a lot of work to do and we have to press forward."
 
Ballard's thoughts on success are clear and certainly something he will pass along to his team.
 
"In the short term I want my players to come to each training session and game and give me everything.  At the end of the day, hustle beats talent, when talent doesn't hustle. In the long term I want dream big. To quote Terry Fox, 'Dreams are made if people try'. I will commit to doing everything I can to develop Bishop's Women's Soccer into a playoff caliber team that could compete for a National Championship in the next 5-10 years."
 
Lofty goals but Ballad understands what it takes.  When he started his playing career at TWU, his men's squad was in last place in the league; three years later they were Canada West Champions.
 
"I believe that when teams come together and focus only on winning, they are doomed to fail.  But when a team can come together and choose to focus on sacrifice, the effort and the preparation needed for the journey then we will never lose," added Ballard. "We will be the underdog each week this year which means we may be able to catch a few giants underestimating us."
 
"Paul is more than just a coach", said Director of Athletics and Recreation at Bishop's, Jean-Benoit Jubinville. "He is a great person and understands our role is to educate student-athletes in all facets of their lives.  On the pitch he has played for and worked with some great teams and he brings experience from a winning program."
 
The 2016 RSEQ women's soccer has not been released yet; however the Gaiters will start training camp under the new regime of Ballard in mid-August when he moves to the Eastern Townships with wife, Roslynn and three daughters, Sienna, Amelia and Evangeline.
 
Stay up-to-date with everything Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media using @BishopsGaiters.
 
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