Jed Davies named new head coach of the UPEI Soccer Panthers

The University of Prince Edward Island is excited to welcome Jed Davies as the new head coach of the women’s and men’s soccer teams. 

Davies is a well-rounded coach with experience and success in youth development, and in university, professional, and international soccer. He gained professional coaching experience as the Halifax Wanderers FC first-team assistant coach, U23 head coach, and head of youth development (U18, U21, U23); Miami FC assistant coach; and Ottawa Fury assistant coach. He was head coach at the University of Oxford, which participated in British University of Colleges’ Sports League. While at Oxford, he grew the participation of organized soccer at both the intra-college and competitive levels. He was also the analyst-consultant for the Iran National Team at the 2018 World Cup.

A native of Cardiff, Wales, Davies founded and managed a successful coach education start-up company in 2013 called “Inspire! Coach Education” and has written two books about the sport: The Philosophy of Football: In Shadows of Marcelo Bielsa (published 2016 by Rocketbird LND) and Coaching the Tiki-Taka Style of Play (published in 2013 by SoccerTutor).

Davies was head of player development at the Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Soccer Academy between July 2014 and February 2023. He worked directly with athletes Tyr Walker, Antoine Coupland, Noah Abatneh, Eric Lajeunesse, and Elage Bah, graduates of the academy who went on to play professionally in the Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer. Graduate Sadie Sider-Echenberg went on to play for Le Havre Athletic Club in Normandy and became the youngest goal scorer in Division 1 Féminine in the club's history.

His coaching expertise is complemented by an educational background that includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Built and Natural Environment with a focus on architecture and planning from the University of the West of England. He was also a professor of Strategy and Techniques in Sport: Association Football (Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences) at the University of Ottawa.

“I am honoured to join the vibrant and growing soccer community of PEI as the head coach of UPEI’s women’s and men’s soccer programs,” says Davies. “My aim is to cultivate an environment where self-belief, care, and problem-solving are central to how our student-athletes experience soccer. Beyond the University, I am committed to contributing to the development of soccer across the Island, ensuring that UPEI’s teams reflect the heart and soul of our community.”

The UPEI Athletics and Recreation department is excited to have Davies join the coaching staff at this crucial time so that he can connect with the student-athletes and begin recruiting for the 2025 season. 

“Jed Davies brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our soccer programs,” said director Jane Vessey. “His energetic approach to coaching and his commitment to developing both players and programs align perfectly with our vision for excellence. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Panther family and are excited about the future of UPEI soccer under his leadership.”

Davies takes over the Panther coaching position from Lewis Page who spent 25 seasons with UPEI Soccer and has recently begun a new chapter with the Halifax Tides FC, a founding club in the Northern Super League, which is committed to excellence in women’s professional soccer in Canada. Page is a four-time AUS Coach of the Year and also served with Canada’s national soccer program as a member of the coaching staff. 

Page worked alongside Davies last summer coaching the Halifax Wanderers first team, and U18 and U23 teams. He said that Davies brings a holistic approach to his coaching and is well qualified with experience in player development and coach education.

“His coaching impacts the players technically, tactically, physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally,” said Page. “Jed encourages a growth mindset and empowers the coaches and players he works with to self-reflect, collaborate, and problem solve for themselves. He is demanding without being demeaning and inspires his players to strive for and maintain a high standard both on and off the field. Great coaches inspire, instruct, and empower their athletes, and Jed does this superbly.”