A Lifetime Legacy
The Sherwood Park Phoenix Football Club would like to recognize significant contribution to the association by awarding a Lifetime Membership to Dave Friesen.
Dave has been a member of the club for over two decades volunteering his time and skills in various coaching and board positions.
Dave began coaching for Sherwood Park in 2001 in the community program. Dave’s coaching helped many PFC players grow and develop, with several moving on to pursue playing opportunities with post secondary and professional teams in our competitive program from 2011 until 2018. Dave has led teams to win provincial competitions and made a lasting impact recognized by many of the players even today.
With Dave’s coaching, his daughter, Delana Friesen has become a top division striker and attacking midfielder, playing NCAA Div 1 soccer with McNeese State University, League1 BC with the TSS Rovers and international professional teams Olimpia Cluj and Treaty United in Limerick.
On top of his dedication to coaching, Dave volunteered his leadership skills to the Board of Directors in 2010. Dave served as association President several times, completing his final term in 2025. During his time on the board Dave navigated several turbulent years for the association, overseeing the complications of the National Youth Licenses, key staff position turnovers and a sustained period of member frustration. Dave’s dedication to good governance and his no-nonsense and logical approach to resolving issues and conflict set the standard for how our board operates today. Having completed his term Dave continues to assist the board in the role of past president continuing to contribute his strong leadership and extensive football experience with the board.
Dave was instrumental of the advocacy of the Strathcona Indoor Field House development since the process started in 2015, investing countless hours in the planning, proposals and presentations that has led to the project currently under construction.
Dave is highly regarded in the Alberta Soccer community, with many of the district members expressing their respect and admiration for Dave’s contributions over the years. Known for his rational and level-headed perspectives and strong commitment to the betterment of youth soccer in Alberta, Dave has contributed immensely to the strong national reputation of the Sherwood Park Phoenix Football Club.
While contributing this impressive list to Phoenix FC, Dave has also led his company, CGIS, to be a world leader in critical and severe service valves. CGIS operates internationally, and has recently become the associations first major sponsor, committing to a three-year sponsorship of our competitive jerseys.
The Sherwood Park Phoenix Football Club would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation for Dave by granting him a Lifetime Membership to the association.
Thank you, Dave, for all you have done and continue to do, to support the development of youth soccer in Strathcona County.