DARROL GRAHAM

Soccer has always been a part of Darrol’s life, both as a player and a coach. Born and raised in Calgary, he played soccer in Bowness/Montgomery as a young child. Excelling in the sport, he played as a teenager for the Blizzard Soccer Club until he graduated from Bowness High School in 1984. After high school, Darrol continued to play over the years as Provincial Select Goalkeeper (1981-87), keeper for the University of Calgary Varsity team (1988-91), and keeper in the Calgary United Soccer Association (CUSA) Men’s Premier/Major Soccer League (1987-97). At the same time, Darrol's engaging personality and extensive knowledge of the sport also made him a natural coach. After high school, he became a Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) coach for the same club for which he had played, coaching the Blizzards for six years. During this time, Darrol specialized as a goal keeper coach; an area that continues to be his forte. He has coached national team goalkeepers Lars Hirschfelt, Asmire Begovic, Taryn Swiatek and Erin Macleod, as well as international stars Owen Hargreaves and Kevin McKenna. For the past 20 years Darrol has coached for Alberta Soccer.

From 1999 to 2005, Darrol served as President of the Bowness Soccer Club.

Darrol’s commitment to his players is unwavering, whether at an international, national, provincial, or local level-whether his players are four years or 40! If your child loves soccer, it is well worth seizing the opportunity to attend the drop-in technical sessions.