Our Team
Admir Sarcevic - General Manager
Admir Sarcevic is the General Manager of both the Red Deer Renegades and the Red Deer City Soccer Association (RDCSA). A former professional soccer player in Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina & Serbia), Admir brings extensive experience from his time competing at high levels in Europe before transitioning into coaching and soccer development in Canada.
In addition to his Managing role, Admir served as the head coach for the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens soccer teams, where he continued to mentor and develop some of Alberta’s top collegiate athletes. Most recently, he won a National Bronze Medal with the RDP Queens in 2025 - the first national medal in RDP Soccer program history. His leadership has been pivotal in raising the standard of soccer in Central Alberta, building strong player pathways from grassroots to post-secondary and professional opportunities.
Admir is driven by a passion for player development, community engagement, and creating an environment where athletes can reach their full potential both on and off the field.
Jason Blake - Technical Director
Jason Blake brings with him a wealth of domestic and international experience and the highest coaching qualification in world football: the UEFA Pro Licence.
Originally from England and now based in Alberta, Jason Blake boasts a career marked by exceptional leadership and impact at all levels of the game. Blake’s elite credentials are matched by his tenures at renowned professional Premier League clubs, notably serving as Academy Director at Burnley Football Club and Centre of Excellence Manager at AFC Bournemouth. In these roles, he led the development of academy performance plans and talent identification strategies. He also worked with Premier League authorities to set standards for elite player development and supported players’ progress to professional and international levels.
Across Canada, he has held roles as Director of Soccer Operations & Development for the Central Alberta Soccer Association, Technical Director for the Alberta Soccer Association, and Coach Developer with Canada Soccer. Jason is also enrolled in the FIFA Coach Developers Diploma, highlighting his ongoing dedication to elevating coaching standards and education at all levels of the game. He has shown strong commitment to grassroots player development, coaching quality, and community-driven soccer growth, from grassroots to competitive levels.
A holder of the UEFA Pro Licence—a qualification reserved for top-tier coaches and technical leaders worldwide—Blake has also earned the England FA Academy Managers Licence and has served as an English FA Coach Educator. His expertise extends beyond coaching to high-performance program design, talent identification, coach development, and long-term player development methods, ensuring a lasting impact at every stage of the game.
Esad Elkaz - U10+ Male Technical Lead
Esad Elkaz is the U10+ Male Technical Lead for the Red Deer Renegades, where he oversees the technical development of players across the club’s competitive male pathway. He is responsible for implementing the Renegades’ technical curriculum, mentoring coaches, and ensuring consistent development standards from U10 through U18.
Esad holds a CSA A License and brings decades of experience as a coach, mentor, and leader within the Canadian soccer landscape. He has served as a coach within the RDP Kings & Queens programs and has also played a key leadership role within the club, previously serving on the Renegades Board of Directors as 1st and 2nd Vice-President. In 2011, he was recognized as City of Red Deer’s Coach of the Year. Over the years, he has helped develop players who have progressed to the professional level, including Heidi Giles.
His soccer background extends internationally. Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1997, Esad was an avid player in Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Locally, he played with the Red Deer Rangers and the Bosnian Canadian Soccer Club, bringing his playing experience into a lifelong commitment to coaching and player development.
Esad is widely respected for his long-term, development-first approach and remains a major contributor to the advancement of soccer in Red Deer—both on and off the pitch.
Cole Grantham - U10+ Female Technical Lead
Cole Grantham is the U10+ Female Technical Lead for the Red Deer Renegades, overseeing the technical development of female players across the club’s competitive pathway.
Cole holds a CONCACAF B Diploma and brings extensive coaching experience within the Red Deer soccer community. Over several years, he has worked with players across multiple age groups, focusing on technical excellence, tactical understanding, and creating positive, development-driven environments that support long-term player growth.
In addition to his coaching background, Cole is a former player with the RDP Kings, giving him valuable insight into the collegiate pathway and the standards required to progress to the next level. This experience allows him to effectively guide players and coaches in aligning development with future competitive opportunities.
As U10+ Female Technical Lead, Cole is committed to building consistent standards across teams, supporting coach education, and ensuring Renegades female players are challenged, confident, and well-prepared as they advance through the club.
Mehdi Souilah - Technical Development Lead
Mehdi Souilah is the Technical Development Lead for the Red Deer Renegades, supporting the growth and progression of players through structured, development-focused programming across the club.
With over nine years of coaching experience, Mehdi has led youth teams to sustained success, including back-to-back league championships, while maintaining a strong emphasis on creating positive, engaging, and high-standard training environments. He is known for his ability to balance technical development with tactical understanding, helping players build confidence and game intelligence.
Mehdi holds both the Canadian Soccer Association ‘C’ License and the CONCACAF ‘B’ Diploma, reflecting his commitment to ongoing coach education and long-term player development principles. His coaching experience includes managing U12 and U15 competitive boys teams (24-player rosters) and currently serving as Head Coach of the U17 Boys Tier 1 program.
In addition to his club work, Mehdi serves as an Assistant Coach with the RDP Kings soccer program, giving him valuable insight into the standards and expectations of the collegiate pathway. His training approach emphasizes well-structured sessions focused on technical mastery, tactical awareness, and game realism.
Mehdi plays a key role in strengthening the Renegades’ development pathway, ensuring players are challenged, supported, and prepared for the next stage of their soccer journey.
Curtis Gallant - Grassroots Technical Lead
With over 12 years of coaching experience and a CSA C Licence, Curtis brings a strong commitment to player development and community growth. Born on Prince Edward Island and having spent most of his life in Red Deer, Alberta, he is proud to call the city home and remains deeply passionate about giving back to the local game.
Curtis has coached at all levels, from U5 Timbits through to U17, giving him a well-rounded perspective on long-term player development. He believes in creating positive, player-centered environments where every individual feels supported and valued. Known for making time for players and families, Curtis prioritizes meaningful conversations, strong relationships, and open communication as key parts of the development process.
As a lifelong student of the game, Curtis is always seeking ways to grow as a coach and continuously refine his approach, particularly within the foundation phase. His focus is on building strong fundamentals, confidence, and a genuine love for the game, while supporting each player’s unique development journey.
As a parent of two children involved in soccer, Curtis understands the pathway from both a coaching and family perspective. He is grateful to be part of a club that values development, connection, and community, and takes pride in working alongside dedicated coaches and staff. Together, the focus remains on developing strong athletes, even better people, and a positive club culture rooted in passion, care, and belonging.
Paxton Gallant - Goalkeeper Development Lead
Paxton Gallant is a dedicated goalkeeper who has competed at the highest youth levels available in Canada, including participation in the Alberta Player Development League (APDL) and National Championship competitions. Throughout his development, he has earned selection to Team Alberta and gained exposure to League1 environments, providing firsthand experience with elite standards and high-pressure competition.
Paxton has trained under professional and collegiate-level goalkeepers and coaches, allowing him to build a strong technical foundation, clear on-field communication, and a deep understanding of the modern goalkeeping role. His approach emphasizes positioning, decision-making, game management, and consistency — key elements required at higher levels of play.
In addition to his playing career, Paxton is actively involved in coaching. Paxton both trains and coaches specifically in goalkeeper development, working with youth athletes to build proper habits, technical confidence, and game awareness. His coaching style prioritizes repetition, accountability, and steady improvement while creating a positive and supportive learning environment for young keepers.
Paxton brings a player’s perspective to his coaching, understanding the demands of the position and the importance of mentorship at early stages of development. His goal is to help young goalkeepers grow not only in skill, but in confidence, resilience, and love for the game.