About Us
How come people choose us?
European Football School (EFS) has rapidly earned an enviable reputation as a soccer school of excellence. EFS welcomes boys and girls from ages 7-18 of all levels of ability and play.
Our Coaching Philosophy
- Explanation
- Demonstration
- Observation
- Correction
- Repetition Repetition Repetition
One of our main objectives at EFS is to not only produce players of outstanding ability but also work with these young people to help them build character and become quality human beings.
Our Coaches
Saibo Talic - Founder & Head Coach
Saibo has been involved in soccer for the majority of his young adult life. He has played professionally in Former Yugoslavia and coached on a professional level winning many championships. Since 1999 he has been running EFS – a high performance soccer school across B.C.
Coaching Licences:
- National “A” Licence
- UEFA “B” Licence
- Croatian Coaching Education Diploma Program
- Former Yugoslavia Coaching Diploma Licence
Coaching Experience:
- Head Coach, FC “Podgrmec” Former Yugoslavia/Bosnia & Herzegovina
- BC Soccer Technical Advisor, Canada Games
- Head Coach, Capilano College Men’s Team
- Head Coach, BC “CROATIA” Vancouver
Player Experience:
- Premier Division, FC “BORAC” Banja Luka (Former Yugoslavia)
- First Division, FC “Podgrmec” S. Most (Former Yugoslavia)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina U/21 Team
Amar Talic - Director and Coach
Amar’s passion in soccer is coaching and the development of young players. He demonstrated this passion by being one of the youngest coaches to successfully complete the UEFA “A” Licence in Europe and bring his knowledge back to Canada.
Coaching Licences:
- UEFA “A” Licence
- UEFA “B” Licence
Coaching Experience:
- Technical Skills Coach; European Football School
- Head Coach, Mountain United FC 06 Girls – BCSPL
- Coach & Manager; NVFC Sarajevo – VMSL
- Head Coach; EFS Sarajevo U21 – VMSL
- Assistant Coach; BC Provincial U15 Team, BC Soccer
Player Experience:
- VMSL, NVFC Sarajevo
Michelle Passant - Coach
Michelle grew up playing soccer. She developed her soccer skills and ability in B.C. and led her to represent the Canadian Women’s National Team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sweden in 1995. In addition she obtained her Canada Soccer Coaching Licence. As a show of her dedication and passion to the sport, she was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.
Coaching Licences:
- National “B” Licence
Coaching Experience:
- Technical Skills Coach, European Football School
- Metro Team Head Coach, North Shore Girls Soccer Club
Player Experience:
- Women’s National Team of Canada (Captain for 4 years)
- FIFA Women\’s World Cup 1995 (Sweden)
- University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
Igor Matic - Coach
Igor’s wealth of knowledge and experience stems from his successful playing career in various parts of Europe. He has brought this experience to Canada and EFS in his development of athletes through his European teaching style and mentality.
Coaching Licences:
- UEFA “A” Licence
- UEFA “B” Licence
Coaching Experience:
- Technical Skills Coach, European Football School
- North Vancouver Football Club
- Point Gray U16 Metro team
Playing Experience:
- Premier Division, FC Zeljeznicar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- First Division, FC Slovan Ljubljana (Slovenia)
- First Division, FC Hapoel (Israel)
- Third Division, SV Eintracht Trier 05 (Germany)
Rhyse Harnden - Coach
Rhyse is a graduate player of EFS. Currently, he is playing in the VMSL Premier Division. He has been coaching at EFS for 11 years and has obtained his Provincial C Licence. Rhyse is a Technical Skills Coach and specializes in defending, fitness and injury prevention.
Coaching Licences:
- Provincial “C” Licence
Coaching Career:
- Technical Skills Coach, European Football School
Playing Career:
- VMSL, Norvan Lions
- University of Victoria Vikes
- Capilano University Blues