David Paradelo is currently serving as the head coach of the Canadian women’s national team.
The Canadians’ 37-year-old coach is one of the younger coaches on the international stage, and his rise to the top has very humble beginnings. After being offered a coaching position at one of the country’s premier clubs, Club Aquatique de Montréal (CAMO), in 2006, he began coaching a range of age groups, from junior to senior teams.
His coaching ability was finally acknowledged in 2010 when he began working with the Canadian national teams.
In 2019, after working his way up through the national junior system, Paradelo was appointed head coach of the women’s national team and won silver at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Canada have steadily improved under Paradelo, and their best days may be ahead.
David Paradelo’s Top 5 of 2022
1. Maddie Musselman (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: UCLA /Position: Winger
The most important player of the World Championships. Scoring important goals every game. She can figure a way to open herself in many situations where she has defence covering her. Her success rate on Power Play is huge. She also is playing a key role in UCLA where success goes through her.
2. Ashleigh Johnson (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: Ethnikos / Position: Goalkeeper
Still the most influential goalkeeper in the game, where she makes key saves as the game moves on. She was key for Ethnikos to win the LEN Trophy and for USA to win World Championships.
3. Greta Gurisatti (HUN)
Hungary National Team Player/Club: Ferencvaros/ Position: Driver
Often overshadowed in a stacked Hungarian team, Gurisatti has prevailed in season and at Worlds with crucial involvement in important moments. She creates a lot by posting up and fighting her way up the pool on the counter attack.
4. Valeria Palmieri (ITA)
Italy National Team Player/Club: Ekipe Orizzonte / Position: Centre-forward
Probably the most important player for her team that any of the current players. Palmieri draws the zone and exclusions on every offence. In their win vs Hungary at Budapest she was very well used on the fly to exploit her offensive talent. The success of Italy is always high when she is in the water. Also, her drive and fight bring her teammates to up the level of their play. Whether it is in the Italian Championship with Orizzonte or international play, she brings more to her team than anybody else. She has the experience to control her feelings, have her mind clear when needed and judge properly what every situation requires. She is a player with courage.
