Alexandre Da Rocha has been named Canada's first-ever national women's futsal coach.
Da Rocha, who has served as an assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side since 2019, will lead Canada at the inaugural CONCACAF Women's Futsal Championship in April, with World Cup qualification at stake.
Canada has never fielded a women's futsal team before.
"Canada Soccer takes another step forward with the establishment of a national women's futsal team and the appointment of Alexandre as head coach," Canada Soccer chief operating officer, Mathieu Chamberland said in a statement. "His experience and vision will be key assets to the success of this team."
Da Rocha has a long coaching resume in Quebec and has served as sporting director for the Xtreme Futsal Club since 2014.
Da Rocha coached the Canadian women’s team at the 2018 FISU Games and was as an assistant coach with the Canadian entry in the 2012 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He coached Xtreme Montreal in the W-League from 2003 to 2004.
Since 2012, Da Rocha has also worked as a television analyst for both futsal and soccer events.
"I am excited to take this challenge to qualify our nation to the first ever women’s FIFA futsal World Cup," said Da Rocha. "I look forward to this great journey and making futsal fans across the country proud of their team."
Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025.
The Canadian Press
