Rob Gale

Early life

Gale was born in Zambia on 3 August 1977, although spent a large portion of his childhood in Tanzania, due to his family's work in football. Gale's family would return to England, where they originate from, when he was 5-years-old. At the age of 14, Gale was signed as an associate schoolboy by Fulham.

Gale attended Reigate College in Surrey, England, where he studied English Literature, Sociology, and Media Studies. At the age of 18, Gale attended the University of Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, where he received his B.A. Honours in Media Production with Broadcasting/Journalism.

Coaching career

Following his university playing career, injuries led Gale to turn his full-time attention to coaching. From 1997-99, Gale was the Assistant Director of Summer Camps for Challenger Sports, responsible for summer soccer camps across ten states in the USA. Gale went on to act as a freelance coach for three professional clubs, training elite players and developing their games. In 2000, Gale took on the role of Regional Director for the Ian Rush Finishing Schools, directing soccer for a new soccer program in two counties across southern England.

In 2001, Gale moved to North America full-time, taking on the role of Director of Soccer for Spencer High School/NWIYSA in Spencer, Iowa. In two short years, Robert had turned a struggling program in to a respectable program, competing on the state level.

This success garnered Gale the chance to be Academy Director for 'Score UK Soccer Fulham Academies', where he was responsible for the overall running of the international sports coaching and consultancy firm including recruitment, as well as training of over forty staff, and the implementation of a summer camp program in North America.

From 2005-06, Gale was the Canadian National Director for Charlton Athletic USSA where he was responsible for design and implementation of soccer structure for Charlton Athletic to affiliate with Canadian Clubs to run camps, academies, and year-round training programs for purposes of membership, player development, and potential recruitment.

In 2006, he was recruited by the Manitoba Soccer Association for the Technical Director position. Under Gale's tenure Manitoba soccer achieved record success in coach and player development with more coaches obtaining provincial and national licences than ever before, as well as 36 staff and players at the youth and senior National team levels; the most in 7 years.

Gale was assistant coach to Sean Fleming for the U17 National team, reaching the FIFA U-17 World Cup twice, including a match against England, who was coached by his brother-in-law John Peacock. He served as head coach of the Men's U18 Team in 2011 and achieved success at the COTIF tournament in L'Alcúdia, Spain, finishing 4th.

On 1 April 2014, Gale took over as Canada's Men's U20 coach.

Gale currently holds CSA National A licence, CSA National B licence, UEFA Coaching Licence, UEFA Coaching Certificate, UEFA A licence, and is currently working on obtaining his UEFA PRO Licence.

Throughout his career, Gale led coaching clinics and seminars worldwide.

Playing career

Following his playing days in England, Gale continued to play for a franchise team out of Winnipeg, Manitoba - Winnipeg Alliance, scoring the first goal in Franchise History against Saskatoon Accelerators, in its inaugural season. Gale finished his playing competitive career in Winnipeg with Winnipeg Lucania FC and Sons of Italy

Personal life

In 2000, Gale met his wife Erin through football in Winnipeg. They married in 2003 and have two daughters, Hadyn (née 2005) and Ashlyn (née 2007). The family currently resides in Winnipeg.