Burlington Soccer Club director doubles as CWNT analyst and scout

Shane Lammie started in soccer in a quintessentially Canadian way. 

Tagging along for his cousin’s game in Toronto when he was seven-years-old, several players didn’t show up due to a snow storm. As kickoff drew closer, the coach noticed Lammie on the sideline and asked him if he’d like to join. 

“I did a double take, I wasn’t sure who he was speaking to,” Lammie said. “I looked at my aunt since I needed permission, and I ran across the field in my winter boots.”

Since that first game, Lammie has played in leagues in Ontario, coached for York University, represented Ontario, and was a member of the men’s national team that clinched a spot in the World Cup, which he said is a career highlight. He is also the director of the Burlington Soccer Club, and the lead scout and analyst for the Canadian women’s national team. 

Lammie is called up a few times a year to participate in tournaments, friendlies, and game prep. On Wednesday, he was in Houston preparing for a game against Costa Rica. 

“It’s a long day, anywhere between 12 and 16 hours,” Lammie said. “We usually start the night before to make sure the technology is charged up, that includes the iPads, cameras, and our comm's devices.”

Canada won 3-0 to clinch the top seed spot for the Gold Cup quarterfinals. 

Depending on the day and the needs of the team, Lammie will work with up to three other people, but was primarily flying solo in Texas. Being a one-man army for a national program is not the type of thing one necessarily goes to school for.

Lammie said he essentially fell into the role. 

“I’ve worn many hats; I’m a utility knife,” Lammie said. “When we’re talking about national governing bodies, any way that you can get through the door you take. I was a player first, got into coaching with the province, and then as a remote scout, and then just kept climbing the ladder.”

In Burlington, Lammie took on the role of director of soccer in September. Staff on both the local and national clubs are supportive of his role with the other, and give him the time and support he needs to balance both plates. 

He added that there is significant growth in the Burlington soccer community, but the capacity of the club is hindering potential. 

“We need to go into the community because there are a lot more soccer players that want to play the game,” Lammie said. “Whether that be youth or adults, there’s people that want to play the game that are unable to because of capacity challenges. Whether that be coaches, volunteers, even fields is a big one.”

He and the club are hoping to open dialogue with various levels of government and the school boards to help solve these issues and serve the demands of the community.