Board of Directors & Staff
Vancouver Athletic Football Club (VAFC) is a community-based, non-profit organization proudly governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board brings a wide range of professional experience and a shared commitment to ensuring the Club is well-run, financially responsible, and focused on delivering positive sport experiences for every player and family.
Supporting the Board is a small, dedicated staff team that manages the day-to-day operations of the Club. From registrations and scheduling to programs, communications, and partnerships, this group works year-round behind the scenes to keep VAFC running smoothly.
Together, our Board, staff, and volunteers invest countless hours to support thousands of young athletes across Vancouver. Their passion, professionalism, and commitment to community are what make VAFC one of the largest and strongest youth soccer clubs in the city.
A Message from the President of the VAFC Board of Directors.
Welcome to Vancouver Athletic FC!
VAFC is a community-first, non-profit club built by families, volunteers, and staff who care deeply about creating positive sport experiences for young players. I’ve been involved with the Club for more than 15 years, and what continues to stand out is the commitment and energy of the people who make VAFC what it is.
For families already part of VAFC, thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. For those who may be exploring the Club for the first time, we’re proud to offer inclusive, well-run programs focused on development, enjoyment, and a strong sense of community.
With a dedicated volunteer Board, a hardworking staff team, and strong partnerships across the soccer community, VAFC is well positioned for the future. We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to welcoming new families into the Club.
— Darren Sherbot, President, VAFC
VAFC Board of Directors, 2026–27
Back row (l–r): Hitesh Chauhan, Rachel Richardson, Aaron Palmer, Graham Cunliffe (Treasurer)
Front row (l–r): Darren Sherbot (President), Christa Flannagan, Ryan McKee (Vice President), Stew Woolverton
Not pictured: Iain Dixon (Secretary)
VAFC Administrative Staff
Josh Bender
Executive Director
Jason Ross
Operations Manager
Caroline Daniels
Registrar
Devon Dooling
House & Events Coordinator
VAFC Technical Staff
VAFC’s Technical Staff is made up of highly experienced, professionally trained coaches who are passionate about player development, coach education, and creating positive soccer experiences. With decades of combined coaching experience across Canada and internationally, our technical leaders hold advanced national and provincial certifications and bring deep knowledge of the game to every program they support.
Together, they are committed to keeping soccer fun, inclusive, and development-focused, while supporting players and volunteer coaches at all stages of the pathway. Their leadership helps ensure VAFC delivers high-quality programming that reflects best practices in youth development and community sport.
Steve Weston
Head Coach & Technical Director
Steve brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to Vancouver Athletic FC, with a background spanning both England and Canada, including over 12 years as a professional coach. As VAFC’s Head Coach and Technical Director, Steve leads the Club’s technical vision, supports coach development, and helps ensure players have positive, high-quality soccer experiences at every stage.
Steve’s coaching philosophy is rooted in keeping soccer fun and enjoyable while instilling strong discipline and work ethic. He emphasizes technical development and ball mastery, believing players must be comfortable and confident with the ball. Equally important to Steve is supporting volunteer coaches, recognizing that player development depends on coaches having access to ongoing learning, mentorship, and strong club-wide support.
Steve has previously held coaching roles with Surrey Youth, Douglas Park Soccer, and BC Soccer at the provincial level. He also serves as a BC Soccer Coach Certification Learning Facilitator, contributing to coach education across the province.
Certifications & Qualifications
- Canadian Soccer Association National B Licence
- Technical Director Diploma
- Canadian Soccer Association National A Licence (in progress)
- BC Soccer Coach Certification – Learning Facilitator
Lauren King
Head Coach, Divisional U11–U18 Girls
Lauren brings a strong blend of high-level playing experience and coaching expertise to Vancouver Athletic FC. She began playing soccer at the age of five and went on to compete at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, a top NCAA Division II program, where she won a National Championship and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences.
After moving to Canada, Lauren began her coaching career in Whistler before continuing her development in Vancouver. She has coached across a range of high-performance and community environments, including Whitecaps Academy, North Shore Girls Soccer Club (NSGSC), VAFC, and the TSS Rovers League1 Women’s program. This breadth of experience allows her to effectively support players at multiple stages of development.
Lauren is committed to creating positive, challenging, and inclusive learning environments where players can develop technically, tactically, and personally. She places a strong emphasis on long-term player development, confidence on the ball, and helping athletes enjoy the game while striving to reach their potential.
At VAFC, Lauren serves as Head Coach for the Divisional U11–U18 Girls programs, leading player development and supporting coaches across age groups.
Certifications & Qualifications:
- Canadian Soccer Association National B Licence
- Canadian Soccer Association Children’s Licence
- Canadian Soccer Association Provincial B Licence
- Canadian Soccer Association Youth Licence
- BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma
- Respect in Sport – Active Leader Program
Steve Hood
Head Coach, Boys Program
Steve brings more than 25 years of coaching and technical leadership experience to Vancouver Athletic FC, with a career that spans England, Wales, the United States, and Canada. His background includes extensive work within professional club development centres and community programs in the UK, as well as international experience as a Soccer Camp Director with Challenger Sports in the United States.
After moving to Canada in 2003, Steve worked as a coach with European Football Schools before becoming Program Director for the North Shore Soccer Development Center, providing technical leadership and support to four North Shore clubs. He later served as Technical Director for Prince George Youth Soccer Association, before returning to the Lower Mainland to take on the role of Technical Director at Richmond FC.
Steve has also held a wide range of coaching and leadership roles across grassroots, development, and high-performance environments, including work with BC Soccer, Whitecaps FC, Mountain FC, and multiple professional clubs in the UK. His experience allows him to bring a balanced, player-centred approach to long-term development, coach education, and program design.
At VAFC, Steve serves as Head Coach for the Boys Program, supporting player development and coach education across age groups. He also continues to contribute to coach development provincially as a BC Soccer Learning Facilitator.
Certifications & Qualifications
- Canadian Soccer Association National B Licence
- Canadian Soccer Association Children’s Licence
- BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma
- BC Soccer Goalkeeping Diploma
- Canadian Soccer Association Provincial B Licence
- NCCP Learning Facilitator
- NCCP Coach Evaluator
- NCCP Master Coach Developer
- Science of Soccer (HND) – University of South Bank, London (UK)
- FA Level 2 – The Football Association, England
Chris Robinson
Grassroots Head Coach
Chris has been a dedicated member of Vancouver Athletic FC for the past nine years. He began as a volunteer coach before joining the club in a staff coaching role four years ago, building extensive experience across VAFC’s grassroots, divisional, and development programs.
Chris brings a thoughtful, player-centred approach to coaching. He emphasizes long-term development, technical ability, confidence, creativity, decision-making, and a genuine love of the game. He believes that strong relationships, high standards, and a positive and challenging learning environment help players reach their potential both on and off the field.
At VAFC, Chris serves as Grassroots Head Coach, leading and coordinating the club’s early-age and House programming, with an initial focus on players from U3 to U10. His responsibilities include supporting Grasshoppers and House programming, developing grassroots curriculum, mentoring coaches and youth leaders, delivering camps and clinics, and strengthening the player pathway from introductory soccer through development programming and beyond.
Certifications & Qualifications
Canada Soccer C Diploma – formerly the Canada Soccer C Licence
Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education – Active Start
Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education – FUNdamentals
Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education – Learn to Train
Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education – Soccer for Life
Canada Soccer – Coaching Soccer in Canada
NCCP Make Ethical Decisions
NCCP Making Head Way in Soccer
NCCP Emergency Action Plan
NCCP Rule of Two
Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders
Safe Sport Training
