The Halifax Wanderers Football Club is proud to announce its first-ever Wanderers U23 squad that will play against PLSQ sides CS St-Hubert on Wednesday, July 27 and CS Saint-Laurent on Wednesday, August 3.
After a series of trials and training sessions throughout 2022, Wanderers U23 head coach Mesut Mert has selected his roster of 19 players from a range of regional clubs and U SPORTS teams in Atlantic Canada. A small selection of available Wanderers first-team players born in 2000 and later are included for match fitness.
“Our coaches have had a chance to evaluate over 40 players starting last November, and this group of players have shown the quality and potential to be selected for these showcases,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “Full credit to everyone involved; it’s been a very competitive environment since day one, showing how much these players want to earn the first squad positions. Wanderers U23 is just the start of our efforts to create new pathways to develop local talent, and we’re fully intent on growing it over the coming years.”
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Squad:
| Pos. | First Name | Last Name | Club | School |
| GK | Aidan | Rushenas | Halifax City | Dalhousie |
| GK | Dan | Clarke | Scrosoppi FC | Cape Breton University |
| DEF | Daniel | Mavakala | Codiac Moncton | University PEI |
| DEF | Enzo | Eullaffroy | Longueuil | n/a |
| DEF | Luke | Green | Electric City | StFX |
| DEF | Lewis | Dye | Suburban FC | StFX |
| DEF | Jack | Kennedy | Suburban FC | StFX |
| DEF | Connor | Manuel | Suburban FC | Dalhousie |
| DEF | Obeng | Tabi | Halifax Wanderers FC | n/a |
| MID | Scott | Firth | Suburban FC | St. Mary’s |
| MID | Ayoub | Al-Arabi | Halifax City | Dalhousie |
| MID | Felly | Elonda | Feildians | Memorial Uni. |
| MID | Oscar | Marshall | UDFC | Acadia |
| MID | Max | Bodurtha | Suburban FC | StFX |
| FWD | Ryan | Robinson | Halifax Wanderers FC | n/a |
| FWD | Suliman | Elomrani | Halifax Dunbrack | Dalhousie |
| FWD | Cameron | Kilbride | Scrosoppi FC | Cape Breton University |
| FWD | Prince | Masimengo | Codiac Moncton | Université de Moncton |
| FWD | Luke | Berryman | Halifax City | Dalhousie |
“We also recognize our Under 23 program is an opportunity to nurture regional coaches and support staff looking to make the step to the professional game,” Fegan said. “Mesut has had a chance to name a staff around him as we work together to build this program. We appreciate all their efforts and welcome them into the Wanderers family.”
Head Coach: Mesut Mert
Mert is the former first-team assistant coach to Stephen Hart and remains the head coach for St Mary’s Huskies in Atlantic University Sport. Mert has established himself as one of the most promising young coaches in the region after a stellar playing career that included national titles at university and club levels, as well as time in USL with Calgary Mustangs and Montreal Impact.
Assistant Coach: Jessie Burgins
Burgins is the Director of Soccer Operations at Suburban FC, one of the region’s top youth development football clubs. The former StFX player also spent several years developing elite talent at Ottawa TFC before relocating to Nova Scotia with his family.
Goalkeeping Coach: Jan-Michael Williams
The current goalkeeping coach for the Halifax Wanderers, Williams, is lending his expertise to the Wanderers U23 goalkeeping tandem. The former Wanderers captain and Trinidad and Tobago international currently works with a pair of Nova Scotians on the first team (Christian Oxner and Kieran Baskett)
Team Manager: Jose Guevara
Guevara is a member of the Wanderers business office, joining in 2022 after graduating from the University of New Brunswick. He has experience as team manager for the Honduras Men’s National Team.
Team Physiotherapist: Tyler Kent
Kent joined the Wanderers Integrated Support Team (IST) as an assistant physio to lead physio Danielle McNally. He has been assigned lead duties with the Wanderers U23 team for the 2022 season.