2025 ACAC Women's Futsal Coaches of The Year
Edmonton, AB (March 7, 2025) –
North Female Coach of the Year | DHEE GOVENDER | NAIT Ooks:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Dhee Govender of the NAIT Ooks has been named the 2025 ACAC Women’s Futsal North Coach of the Year.
Dhee Govender has been the head coach of the NAIT Ooks women’s futsal team since the program’s inception three years ago. In that short time, he has made a lasting impact on both the futsal and soccer programs at NAIT, quickly establishing himself as a dedicated and passionate leader. His ability to develop talented athletes both on and off the field has earned him respect within the ACAC community. Under his guidance, the Ooks women’s futsal team has shown consistent growth, achieving impressive results and building a strong foundation for the future.
Govender’s leadership has not only elevated the performance of his players but also made a significant impact on the NAIT Athletics department as a whole. His dedication to continual improvement and his drive to bring out the best in his athletes are key factors in his recognition as the ACAC Women’s Futsal North Coach of the Year.
“Dhee is well deserving of the ACAC Futsal Coach of the Year Award. His attention to detail and dedication to the team became evident once NAIT Athletics joined futsal 3 years ago. He is constantly trying to improve both the NAIT women’s futsal and soccer programs and encourages his student-athletes to do more in the community. NAIT Athletics would like to congratulate Dhee are extremely proud that he is our head coach,” said NAIT Athletics and Recreation Director Jordan Richey.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Women’s Futsal Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Alberta.
South Female Coach of the Year | JOHN TALERICO | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce John Talerico of the SAIT Trojans has been named the 2025 ACAC South Women’s Futsal Coach of the Year.
John Talerico’s exceptional leadership and commitment to the SAIT Trojans women’s futsal team have once again been recognized, earning him back-to-back ACAC South Women’s Futsal Coach of the Year honors. John has been a driving force in the development of both the soccer and futsal teams at SAIT since joining as an assistant coach in 2008. In 2015, he took over as head coach of the women’s program, and under his leadership, the Trojans have seen unparalleled success. Talerico guided the team to an ACAC Women’s Futsal Championship in 2022 and 2024, showcasing his ability to consistently lead his teams to the top.
Talerico’s influence goes beyond just tactics and strategy—he has built a culture of respect, determination, and excellence within the program. His teams continue to thrive both on the field and in the classroom, consistently making meaningful contributions to the Trojans community and the broader Calgary soccer and futsal scene. His passion for the game and commitment to developing well-rounded athletes has made a significant impact. This year’s award adds to his extensive list of accolades, including multiple ACAC Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year honors and back-to-back ACAC Women’s Futsal Coach of the Year recognitions.
"John has built a culture of respect, determination, and excellence within our women’s soccer and futsal teams. Under his leadership, his teams continue to excel—both on the field and in the classroom—while making meaningful contributions to the Trojans and the broader Calgary soccer and futsal community. John’s dedication and achievements deserve every bit of recognition and we're incredibly proud to have him as a part of the Trojans." – SAIT Trojans Manager of Athletics, Lauren Kucera
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Women’s Futsal Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, AB.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca