With the collegiate sports season gearing up, and the launch of its new soccer program, Red River College has added four new coaches to its athletics department this fall. Doug Lawrie and Paul Thompson will coach women’s and men’s soccer, respectively, while Jaenas Pangilinan  will coach women’s basketball and Lea Romanchuk will coach women’s volleyball.

“With their experience and enthusiasm, our new coaches will definitely play a key role in leading our Rebels teams to great success,” said Ryan Ratushniak, Red River College Director of Athletics.

For more information on RRC Rebels Athletics, visit www.rrc.ca/athletics

See coaches bios below:

Women’s Soccer Staff: Doug Lawrie, Head Coach

Doug has been coaching the “beautiful game” for 13 years, mostly at the youth level.  Since moving to Winnipeg in 1999, he coached youth teams within the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association at all levels of competition until 2009.  These included Portage Trail Soccer Club boys and girls Premier and Regional teams, as well as the Woodhaven Hornets Community Club girls.  For the past two years he has been President of the Hornets Soccer Club competing in the Winnipeg Women’s Soccer League.  His teams over the years have captured four tournament and league championships and the City of Winnipeg Community Club “A” Championship in 2009.  Doug’s teams have routinely been noted for their sportsmanship, including winning the Team Sportsmanship award at the Burnsville Fire, MN Tournament in 2008.  In 2007, Doug was selected the WYSA Coach of the Year for the St Charles Soccer District.  Doug is a certified CSA Level 3 (Senior) soccer coach.

Doug is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston with a BA in Economics and Commerce.  While attending RMC he played on the varsity hockey team competing in the Ontario Universities Athletic Association.  Doug served 31 years in the Air Force as an Air Navigator, and has a wealth of experience providing and administering occupational training.  Doug also has extensive experience participating as a player, coach and administrator in hockey and soccer within the Canadian Forces National Sports program throughout his career.

Red River College Athletics is pleased to have Doug on our “team” as we embark on the inaugural season for soccer at Red River College.

Men’s Soccer Staff: Paul Thompson, Head Coach

Paul Thompson is a young ambitious soccer coach with 6 years of coaching experience at a variety of levels including recreational, premier, and provincial. Over 15 years of playing experience which includes: 3 years of playing in the Manitoba Major Soccer League for Ital-Inter FCNW and 1 year of university playing for University of Winnipeg. Paul currently holds his Provincial B coaching license and is planning to take his first national level next summer. While Paul is not playing or coaching, he can be seen training young athletes to improve their strength and conditioning or finishing up his physical education degree.

Red River College Athletics is pleased to have Paul on our “team” as we embark on the inaugural season for soccer at Red River College.

Women’s Basketball Staff: Jaenas Pangilinan, Head Coach

Jae Pangilinan has been involved in basketball for over 25 years as a player, coach, and referee.  He is trained as a Level 3 NCCP Basketball Coach.  He was an assistant coach with University of Manitoba for 4 years where they went to nationals 2 times and finished Silver in 1998.  He also coached at River East where they recorded 105 wins and 26 losses in four short years.  He coached them to 3 final four appearances – runner up 1 year and won the Provincial Title in 1997.  After a long hiatus living in the Cayman Islands he is back to help coach the Rebels and continue with their successful program.

Red River College Athletics is pleased to have Jae as part of the coaching staff heading into the next MCAC Basketball Season!

Women’s Volleyball Staff: Lea Romanchuk, Head Coach

Red River College is pleased to announce the appointment of Lea Romanchuk as the new coach for the women’s volleyball team. Lea Romanchuk brings strong experience with both women’s and men’s volleyball at the post-secondary level. Lea was formerly the assistant women’s and men’s volleyball coach at the University of Winnipeg. She has also been a part of the provincial team for the past three years, head coaching the 2010 16U women’s team.  As well, she has been the head coach of the Dakota Collegiate junior varsity women’s team for multiple years. Her latest accomplishment was winning the 16U women’s club provincial championship with her Cobras club team this spring.

“We are very excited about Lea coaching here,” said Ryan Ratushniak, Red River College Director of Athletics. “She has experience with both men and women at multiple skill levels. She has a great understanding of the sport. She’s a perfect fit for what we’re trying to accomplish here.”

Lea will be selecting her team September 6-8 at the final selection camp. She will be looking for athletes who are “hardworking, skilled, and good team players. We will be selective in our recruiting process” she explained. “Being successful is a team effort; the athletes and I will strive to excel on a daily basis.” As stated by one of her mentors, “If hard work were easy, everyone would be doing it.”