Board of Directors and Staff Profiles
Board of Directors
Rajinder Uppal |  | |
| Board Position: | President | |
| Board Member Since: | September 21, 2014 | |
Raj has been involved with CUSA as a player and coach for the past 28 years. During that time Raj has managed both club teams and independent teams and appreciates the challenges faced by both. In addition, Raj is also an active referee and a coach in minor soccer where he enjoys passing on his passion for the game to the kids. Raj is also a member of the Alberta Soccer Association's Finance Committee. Raj first joined the CUSA board in 2014. His varied background provides keen insight into issues facing CUSA and its members. Raj is a strong believer in giving back to the community and ensuring that soccer is an inclusive sport for all.
In his professional career, Raj is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has worked in various accounting roles throughout his career.
Peter Newman |  | |
| Board Position: | Vice President | |
| Board Member Since: | March 29, 2016 | |
Peter was a player within Calgary United Soccer until an injury brought his retirement. As an avid soccer supporter, he wanted to continue his involvement with the game and was appointed to the CUSA Board in March of 2016.
Peter is Supervisor, Commercial Services - Natural Gas Liquids for Pembina Pipeline Corporation and previously worked at Borden Ladner Gervais as a corporate and securities lawyer. Peter is experienced in corporate law practice and has helped numerous not-for-profit clients.
Joshua Doiron |  | |
| Board Position: | Treasurer | |
| Board Member Since: | June 20, 2023 | |
Joshua grew up in Calgary and has been a CUSA member for over 18 years. He has experienced playing and coaching for many different clubs across the city. Josh graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in geology from Mount Royal University. During his time there he also played for the Mount Royal Cougars Men’s Soccer team. Joshua is currently a licensed Mortgage Broker for First Avenue Financial and currently sits on the Board for CJSC and the Mount Royal Soccer Alumni Association. Although his ability to play at a high level of football has since passed, his commitment to growing the sport and its culture in this city is still something he feels very passionate about.
Corrine Palmer |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | June 22, 2022 | |
Results-orientated professional consistently demonstrating adaptability to business challenges. Over ten years in customer service, management and sales roles in retail settings resulting in a diverse skill set that can be applied to any business setting.
Avid learner with strong communication, interpersonal and analytical skills, combined with the ability to work efficiently independently and in collaboration. Provides excellent client service and conflict resolution through effective relationship building.
Megan Kossowan |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | September 23, 2012 | |
Megan is a born and raised Calgarian playing with Fish Creek and Calgary Foothills through minor soccer. She had the privilege of playing varsity soccer with the University of Calgary. I played several years in Major league and currently play in Classic Majors with Alliance in Calgary Women's Association.
Mwandibhuya (Kennedy) Mutepfa |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | October 25, 2017 | |
Kennedy is a former ZIFA Board Member (Zimbabwe Football Association) and former Secretary General of the Premier Soccer League who was appointed to the CUSA Board in 2017 to fill a vacancy. His passion for the game is second to none. He has prior experience in creating sponsorship opportunities for tournaments and special events to come to fruition. Kennedy is also a former National Tournament Director for the Arenel NASH U 17 boys’ soccer and General manager for The Midlands Province for the national Youth games in Zimbabwe. He is looking forward to continuing promoting Calgary community integration and diversity through soccer.
In addition to his passion for the sport of soccer Kennedy runs his own cleaning business, a holder of a Diploma in Business and Digital Marketing Management, a certificate in High level Football Administration (Confederation of African Football CAF) and has been working toward his Chartered Accountant Certification. Kennedy is also studying towards the qualification of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) 5/24, University of Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Bryan Railton |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | October 28, 2020 | |
Born and raised in Calgary, I started playing soccer in Silver Springs through the community program. I then moved to Blizzard’s soccer as soon as age permitted. I have continually played in Calgary for the last 25 years, including minor, men’s and coed. I have been a member of the Coed league since 2002, playing with multiple teams over the years.
On a professional level, I am a Sales Manager for a Luxury Automotive Brand, having built my career on relationships and networking, knowing that the connection to the people and understanding their needs is key to success. It is my belief that strong and consistent process help create dependable transparency, forge long lasting results and foster a keen sense of community.
Over the last several terms with CUSA I have been heavily involved in our strategy plans, developing, and continuing our program growth, and offering ideas to help support the betterment of our community through empathy, equity, and inclusion. Through my background and experience I hope to continue to bring a people first perspective to the board and to not settle for “the way we have always done it” unless it is well justified and supported.
Tayfun Zehir |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | September 27, 2015 | |
Ty's playing experience started when growing up in Europe playing for youth select, amateur and University soccer programs. After moving to Canada in 1978, he has played and coached soccer at premier levels of CMSA as well as CUSA. Ty coached at Shawnee Soccer and was one of the founding members of the South West United (SWU) Soccer Club. He has coached Premier level Boys and Girls teams and served as a Technical Member of the SWU Soccer Club. He has conducted Community Coach Training as well as Soccer Academy sessions and written Training Manuals for coaching SWU Youth Soccer Programs. Ty is currently working with the CUSA Chinook Raiders Men's Team and has also refereed several years in CMSA and CUSA leagues as an Alberta District Soccer Referee.
Ty is married with two children. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering and is an active Professional Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He is currently employed as President and CEO of Tycore International Ltd., a global Engineering and Marketing Consulting Firm located in Calgary.
Francisco Alaniz Uribe |  | |
| Board Position: | Director | |
| Board Member Since: | October 28, 2020 | |
Francisco has been an active member of CUSA since 2004 when he arrived in Calgary from Monterrey, Mexico. For the past ten years he has been a manager-coach-player for Avalanche FC, a small club with over 20 years of continuous participation in our leagues. Within our Association he has volunteered as part of CUSA’s Disciplinary Committee. He is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary where he also holds a position at the University’s Appeals Committee, the disciplinary body for academic matters. With a background of practicing as an architect in Mexico he now consults, teaches, and conducts research in urban design and planning.
I have been enjoying the work of many CUSA volunteers before me for the past 16 years since I arrived in Calgary. I believe this is my opportunity to contribute and give back to this amazing soccer-loving community. Trying to improve the experience and facilitate the enjoyment of our game.
CUSA Office Staff
Stacey Hatcher |  | |
| Position: | Executive Director | |
| With CUSA Since: | June 2024 | |
| Email: | Stacey Hatcher | |
| Phone: | 403.648.0861 | |
Stacey has over 20 years of experience in the communications and public relations fields, across several different sectors, including political, corporate and not-for-profit, working in senior and leadership positions, leading teams and individuals to achieve their very best.
Most recently, she has worked in tourism in Calgary, where she continued to expand her professional skills in operations and working with many different partners across the civic space in the city. There she discovered a great love of being a city-champion and a city-builder.
At the heart of Stacey’s strengths is that she is a collaborator and a builder, with a knack for helping people discover what they have in common, and an instinct for putting people together to do great work.
She believes strongly in the power of sport and has watched its positive influence on youth, adults and communities. Stacey has been a ‘sport mom’ for several years, both in soccer and hockey.
Stacey lives in Calgary with her spouse and two children.
Patti Newfield |  | |
| Position: | Office Manager | |
| With CUSA Since: | July 2002 | |
| Email: | Patti Newfield | |
| Phone: | 403.648.0862 | |
A visionary leader focused on building community, growing sport and organizational capacity. Patti graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Physical Education and followed it up with Management Diploma from Langara College. Following graduation, she went on to pursue a 5-year work experience in the NWT having fun delivering all things communities want to make their leisure time more interesting, enjoyable, and personally satisfying.
An experienced civic-minded senior manager and native Albertan led her to accept a position with CUSA and she has managed its daily operations for over 20 years. She is committed to lifelong learning and has completed numerous courses and training opportunities in Financial and Human Resources Management. Her goal is to deliver exceptional member service while striving for a rewarding and productive work atmosphere.
Outside of work, Patti held various roles as a volunteer having a positive impact on the sport community in Alberta, BC and the NWT as a participant, community leader, coach and administrator. She is past director with Sport Calgary and president & founder of the Calgary Female Sport Development Association. Life is about balance. She enjoys golf, playing women's and coed hockey, exploring Calgary's pathways, travel, and venturing out with her 4-leggeds Dexter & Dakota.
Adelle Young |  | |
| Position: | Manager - League Operations | |
| With CUSA Since: | March 2010 | |
| Email: | Adelle Young | |
| Phone: | 403-270-0363 | |
Adelle graduated from Mount Royal University 2010 with a Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship in Sport and Recreation. A born and raised Calgarian, Adelle grew up playing Ringette and Fastpitch Softball and continues to be involved in those sports as a participant and Board Member. Adelle has a passion for adult participation in sport and has held various positions on board of directors for both Ringette and Softball, currently the Past President of Calgary Minor Softball Association and the Vice President for Calgary Open Ringette Association.
Ric Blackwell
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| Position: | Program Coordinator - Discipline | |
| With CUSA Since: | March 2016 | |
| Email: | Ric Blackwell | |
| Phone: | 403.648.0860 | |
Ric has been a player, coach and student of the game for the best part of 40 years. He studied Football Studies at Southampton Solent University, before moving from England to Calgary in 2012. Shortly after his arrival he was welcomed into a CUSA team and immediately recognized and appreciated the numerous benefits that the local soccer community offered - making friends from all over the world while playing the sport he loves.
He was delighted to be able to extend that association with CUSA when accepting the role of Discipline and Program Coordinator in 2016, and works to assist people from all backgrounds pursue their recreational enjoyment of soccer in Calgary.
In his role he strives to serve the membership as fairly and professionally as possible, understanding and promoting the importance that fair play and sportsmanship play in our amateur game, while simultaneously applying and managing the discipline process when there are red cards and disciplinary incidents that occur at our games.
Outside of soccer, he treasures time with his wife and children. A keen golfer, skier and cyclist, but fundamentally a soccer-lover at heart and is someone who will happily talk and give his opinion on all elements of the game, whether that be CUSA-related or as a long-suffering Manchester United and Preston North End supporter.
Keenan Ince
| Position: | Program Coordinator - Administration |  |
| With CUSA Since: | April 2024 | |
| Email: | Keenan Ince | |
| Phone: | 403-270-0363 |
Soccer has always been a part of Keenan's life. Growing up in Indonesia and moving to Calgary in 2008, he has played for many community teams, recreational teams, school teams, and organized men’s and co-ed teams. He has coached minor soccer for over 10 years in Calgary, and he has worked for non-profit organizations such as Calgary Minor Soccer Association, Parks Foundation Calgary, and MNP Community and Sport Centre. Keenan completed a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, and more recently completed a Sport and Recreation Management graduate certificate at the University of Alberta. His professional goals are to continue to build his business acumen in sport and recreation management, to lead by example and deeply involve himself in Calgary soccer, and to continue to assist those who want to play soccer for life by building connections within the sport and recreation sector in Calgary and in Canada.
Trina Buitenwerf
| Position: | Program Assistant |  |
| With CUSA Since: | July 2018 | |
| Email: | Trina Buitenwerf | |
| Phone: | 403-270-0363 |
Supporter, soccer wife, soccer mom, soccer for life. While Trina has many interests, and hobbies, soccer has been a common thread. CUSA was a big part of Trina's life in university years as the ultimate summer job. Years later, the role presented itself again - history repeats in a good way.
Maureen Farrell
| Position: | Coordinator - Special Projects |  |
| With CUSA Since: | April 2024 | |
| Email: | Maureen Farrell | |
| Phone: | 403-270-0363 |
Maureen graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in Communications. For 20+ years, Maureen worked in the oil and gas industry in Human Resources as a Compensation Consultant. A mother of three boys, Maureen was a Soccer Mom chauffer for many years (with assistance from her husband). Maureen started coaching her sons when they were little, graduated to the position of Team Manager and ended up becoming a referee to be a better Assistant Referee for her boys’ games. Currently, Maureen is working on special projects for CUSA. In addition, Maureen also sits on Discipline Committees for Calgary Minor Soccer (CMSA) and Alberta Soccer Association (ASA).
