The European Soccer Experience
Theo ten Caat - Coach
Theo started his professional soccer career at the age of nineteen, when his talent was discovered by FC Twente. In the summer of 1984 Theo ten Caat became a professional soccer player and that summer was the beginning of a long journey as a professional. His talent got him to play for Dutch soccer clubs like FC Twente, BV Veendam, FC Groningen and Vitesse Arnhem. In 1991 Theo crossed the North sea to play for FC Aberdeen (Scotland) for a couple of years. After a period of eighteen years Theo retired from his professional career, playing in the red colours of FC Twente again.
Ten Caat stayed in red and started his career as a youth soccer coach at the FC Twente Academy. He stayed there for eight years until he became Technical Director at the Academy of Fc Emmen. During his spell at FC Emmen he was also coaching amateur soccer at the highest level in Holland. At the moment Ten Caat is the head coach of amateur club Achilles 1894 and co-founder of DutchCan™ Soccer.
Ten Caat works on a natural, gradual manner, with a desire for creating. From both character and education he has developed a love for creative soccer. During his early childhood in the 1970s, Ten Caat was influenced by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruijff, the master of total soccer. Back then the Dutch were famous for playing a dominant and attacking game on all the facets. This type of soccer can only be played making the accompanying tactical choices by a creative trainer.
There are over twenty players who were trained by coach Theo ten Caat ended up playing professional soccer. Names like Steven Berghuis, Ola John, Quincy Promes, Thomas Bruns, Michael Kieftenbeld, Shadrag Eghan, Cas Peters, Mike te Wierik and lots of others have had their master class of Theo ten Caat. His latest talent is Joël Amakodo, who became a professional this season at FC Groningen.
Paul Okumu - Coach
Paul started playing soccer as a young boy in the small African Country of Uganda. After moving to Canada in the late 80’s Paul’s Love and Passion for the game of Football continued to grow. Watch the great Dutch Players like Cruijff, Van Basten, Gullit, Seadorf, Kluivert and many others, Paul developed a Love for Dutch Football. Playing in Canada was a different experience, but one which saw him persevere and eventually earn a scholarship to the University of South Carolina – Aiken.
Playing 4 years of Varsity Soccer, Paul earned honours of being Team Captain, MVP, and receiving the Coach’s Award. After his Varsity career Paul had tryouts for various A League Teams including the Cincinatti Riverhawks, where he played against the Columbus Crew of the MLS. Upon returning to Canada, Paul Played in the CPSL beginning with the Metro Lions and in his 4th season where he played with the North York Astros in 2007, Paul had a great experience in Playing a friendly against the Mexico U20 team and having the Task to Cover the Great Giovanni Dos Santos.
After Playing in the CPSL Paul decided to pursue a career in coaching, a position where he is able to use his Football and Life Experiences to Mentor and develop young players teaching and honing their football skills. With a Passion to give back to the community at large especially Football, Paul’s desires of opening up doors for young Footballers to be able to Experience &
Achieve their goals and Dreams is finally coming to fruition. Coach Paul Connected with Theo Ten Caat and began to work together to bridge Canada and Holland and create an experience for young Canadian footballers to experience the Dutch Way of Football.