Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) today announced that the club has agreed to a new deal with Head Coach and General Manager, Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

The two-time Manager of the Year winner has agreed to a deal that will see him at the club for an additional three years following a league-winning 2023 season.

“Many things in professional sports are difficult; working alongside Tommy Wheeldon Jr. is not. Having Tommy continue to lead our club was an easy decision. Tommy is part of Cavalry FC’s DNA and has been since we first started this journey in 2018. His success on the pitch is obvious. He has recruited, mentored, and coached more than 100 players, coaches, and support personnel through our system, and we are delighted that he will be doing so for at least the next three years. His belief in the game, this community, in the Canadian Premier League and in our club’s values, goals and objectives align perfectly. We are delighted he will continue to play a vital role in next chapters in Cavalry FC history.”

Wheeldon Jr. was appointed as the club’s head coach and general manager in 2018 and has set records since. His efforts have led to the club holding the most successful home record in league history, claiming the first ever regular season title in the inaugural 2019 season. In 2023, the club established a 13-point gap between itself, and runners-up Forge FC when claiming the newly introduced CPL Shield, making history as setting the largest margin in points that the league has ever seen. He is also the only manager to have won the CPL Manager of the Year Award twice and has claimed the Manager of the Month Award numerous times since his appointment.

“I am delighted to sign an extension with a club and a city that I love, and I can’t wait to continue this great journey that we are on. I am thankful to our ownership for their constant support and continued strive for excellence, particularly Linda Southern-Heathcott, for her and her family’s vision in building something special for our community and beyond.

Whilst we have come along way and achieved so many great things in our short history, there is still do much left to pursue and that’s what keeps me hungry to continue growing this special football club. I am humbled to be able to work alongside the leadership of our President Ian Allison and our senior management team, in developing the future of the game in this country.

Every opportunity I get to walk out onto ATCO Field here at Spruce Meadows, I take pride in leading this club alongside the fine group of players and exceptional staff we have developed. It is very special that I get to share this with my family and friends in the stands, alongside the passionate and unwavering support of our Cavalry FC supporters. It is all truly a dream come true.”

The club will commence the 2024 CPL campaign as they travel to Hamilton, Ont. to face Forge FC on Saturday, April 13.

Cavalry will then return to ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows for the first time in 2024 to host Vancouver FC in the preliminary round of the TELUS Canadian Championship on Tuesday, April 23. The winner of the single-elimination match will advance to a quarterfinal tilt against Major League Soccer (MLS) side Vancouver Whitecaps FC.