LUSA Technical Team

Mark Parker

Technical Director – [email protected]

Mark Parker is the former Surrey United Technical Director leaving them in 2000 to join BC Soccer in the roles of High Performance Coach and ending as the Director of Grassroots for the Province. 

Mark joined Langley United in 2009 as the Technical Director. He earned his Scottish FA Youth Certificate, Goalkeeping Certificate, and Early Touches Certificate in 2000… earned his UEFA Coaching B Licence from the Scottish FA in 2001… earned his Institute of Brasilian Football Coaching B Licence in 2003 and his A Licence in 2006 in Brazil, earned his Canada Soccer Coaching B Licence in 2002 and his Canada Soccer Coaching A Licence in 2007 and renewed his Canada Soccer A Licence in 2019 also earned his International Coaching Licence from England’s The FA in 2012.

  • In 2019 he was awarded the BC Soccer Technical Directors Diploma
  • 2002 Women’s U16 Canada National Team Eastern and Western Training Camps
  • 2010 to 2014 Men’s U17 / U18 / U20 Canada National Team Program

Highlights included:

  • 2 x U17 CONCACAF World Cup qualification tournaments (Bronze and Silver) 
  • 2 x U17 FIFA World Cups 2011 in Mexico and 2013 in Dubai 
  • BC Provincial Team from 2000 to 2009 medaling every year.  

Mark is a BC Soccer and ViaSport facilitator and coach mentor.


Chelsey Hannesson

Assistant Technical Director – [email protected]

Chelsey comes with an extensive coaching resume over 15 years of coaching. She has coached in programming ranging from TopSoccer USA – Adaptive Programs, the Ontario Player Development League, Semi Professional Women’s Soccer League 1 BC, and was the first female to be on the technical staff for a Canada Premier League (CPL) Canadian Championship Quarter and Semi Final game. She is the fourth female in Canada, first in BC, to have achieve the highest level of coaching certification, the Canada Soccer A Licence. She is also a BC Soccer Learning Facilitator for the BC Soccer Coach Education Program and BC Soccer Female Coach Mentor for future aspiring females coaches.

Chelsey’s playing career includes over 5 years in the Canadian National Training Centre, BC Provincial Team Roster, Canada Games Gold Medalist in 2005, Full Scholarship to Division 1 NCAA Women’s Soccer, Eastern Washington University, competing in the Big Sky Conference, and has competed and medalled at over 12 different Canada Adult Women’s and Youth National Championships. A fascinating component to her playing career is that she started her journey as a player at Langley United and has come full circle into her role today as the Assistant Technical Director of the same club.

Certifications & Notable Accolades:

CPL Starting XI – 2019
CANADIANS WHO ARE POSITIVELY IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL GAME. THE INDIVIDUALS BEING RECOGNIZED ARE OVERALL LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, PASSIONATE ABOUT SOCCER IN CANADA AND ADVOCATE FOR AWARENESS, INCLUSIVITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY.

Canada Soccer A License Certified
Canada Soccer Children’s License Certified
Canada Soccer Youth License Certified
Canada Soccer Goalkeeper License Certified

– BC Soccer Female Program Staff Coach: 2018 – Current
-Canada Games Head Coach Team BC: 2022
-League 1 Semi – Professional Head Coach: 2 Seasons with TSS Rovers: 2022 – 2023
-Whitecaps REX Elite Staff Coach: 2017 – 2019
-Ontario Player Development League Coach: 2014 – 2016
-TopSoccer USA: Adaptive Soccer Volunteer: 2007-2010

Chelsey’s current roles within Langley United are:

– Learning To Train Development Coordinator U10-U12
– BCSPL 2009 Girls Team Head Coach
– Soccer For Life & New to Canada Program Coordinator
– Seasonal Soccer & Activities Camps Coordinator
– Female Coach & Junior Coach Mentorship & Coach Development


Azad Palani

Assistant Technical Director – [email protected]

Azad has been coaching with LUSA for 9 years. Passionate and caring, he is deeply involved in the fabric of the club with his role as ATD. As a player, he was involved with the National and Provincial programs, and has competed at the National Championships at the Youth, Collegiate and Men’s level. His love and dedication for the game has led him to give back to his community and has been coaching youth and adult soccer since 2007. As a student of the game, he has worked his way to achieve his Canada Soccer’s National B and Youth License and is constantly working to obtain further education.

Azad current roles and licenses:

  • U13 to Adult Soccer Coordinator
  • LUSA Development Academy Coordinator
  • Canada Soccer National B License
  • Technical Director Diploma
  • Canada Soccer Youth License
  • BC Soccer Learning Facilitator
  • Men’s Premier Head Coach
  • BCSPL 2008 & 2009 Boys Head Coach
  • LARS Program Coordinator
  • Canada Soccer Children’s Licence (in Progress)
  • Many NCCP Courses


Danny Vaughan

Assistant Technical Director – [email protected]

NCCP # 6336738 

Danny Vaughan has worked with children, youth, and adults in British Columbia over the span of his 15 years of coaching in the province. He has spent most of his time as a Head Coach in the British Columbia Soccer Premier League for Mountain United Football club and Fusion Football Club. Danny was also a Goalkeeper Coach for BC Soccer during their 2015 Canada Games preparations

Originally from North Vancouver, Danny has played for North Vancouver Football Club, West Vancouver Football Club, Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Academy and Capilano University as a Goalkeeper.

Danny joined LUSA United in February 2024 as Assistant Technical Director. His main role in the club is the Director of Grassroots Soccer as well as Post Secondary Preparations. Before achieving this role, Danny has earned his BC Soccer Technical Directors Diploma, CSA National B Licence, CSA Children’s Licence, and other local community coaching certificates

Licenses and Certification

CSA National B Licence
CSA Children’s Licence
BC Soccer Technical Directors Diploma
BC Soccer B Provincial 
NCCP Respect in Sport
NCCP Making Headway 
NCCP Making Ethical Decisions
NCCP Mental Health in Sport
NCCP Safe Sport

Danny’s current roles:

  • U4-U9 Grassroots Development
  • University Transition Program