Coaching Staff

Felex Hu | Technical Director & Head Coach

Felex has been with Roman Tulis since 2006 and has more than 20 years of professional coaching experience. As a player, Felex graduated from the prestigious Guangdong Technical Sports Institute and went on to represent both the U21 Chinese National Team and the Hong Kong National Team. He played professionally in Hong Kong for over a decade, representing Instant-Dict FC (now Double Flower FC) and Yee Hope FC before transitioning into a management career with Yee Hope.

Felex holds his AFC “A” and “Pro” licenses, the highest coaching honours available from the Asian Football Confederation. In addition to their keen soccer minds, Felex and Roman shared a coaching philosophy, approaching soccer as a lifestyle and encouraging their players to become the best versions of themselves both on and off the field.

Nicole Tulis | General Manager & Head Coach

As Roman’s daughter, Nicole has been involved with the school since the beginning, first as a player, and for the past 10+ years as a coach in the full-time program. Nicole mirrors her father’s trademark dedication and honesty, taking pride in creating a positive environment for her players on a daily basis. She is passionate about improvement, as evidenced by her mentorship under Roman Tulis Sr., Felex, and UEFA Pro-certified coach Dr. Ivan Galad.

Nicole enjoyed a hugely successful youth soccer career in Vancouver and internationally, winning two BC Championships with Cliff Avenue, as well as picking up Dana Cup and Gothia Cup titles abroad with Roman Tulis. In fact, her team was the first Canadian team to win the prestigious Gothia Cup, which is unofficially designated as the Youth World Cup because of the 143 countries that have taken part throughout the tournament’s history. She has since returned to both tournaments several times as a coach, winning the Dana Cup in 2011.

Caedyn Lennox | Head Coach & Goalkeeper Coach

Caedyn is a 10-year Roman Tulis alumnus with 8 years of coaching experience in the full-time program and he has coached with the summer programs for 12 years.  He has been playing soccer for over 21 years and he participated in the Tulis School’s tournament at the Donosti Cup in San Sebastian, Spain in 2002.  Coaches for the eventual winner of the U-12 Division that year, FC Barcelona, complimented the Tulis team’s skill and commitment and told reporters that the “Tulis team was the only team who gave us a good game!”

Caedyn credits the positive learning environment at Roman Tulis for his growth as a player, student, and person. For him, coaching is an opportunity to provide the next generation with similarly positive experience.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Caedyn holds a double Bachelor degree in History and Humanities and he also has a certificate in religious and Hellenistic studies. His plans for the future involve more education: with a passion for continental philosophy as well as studies in Classical Antiquity, he hopes to pursue a Master’s degree and beyond in the years to come.

Besides reading, playing soccer, and cooking, his main hobby is watching and supporting Arsenal FC.

Tim Ainge | Head Coach
In addition to his 8 years as a player at the school, Tim has coached at summer camps for 13 years and in the full-time school for 8 years.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physiology and a Bachelor of Business Administration, and is working towards a Master of Science in Biomedical Physiology. In addition to his academic training, Tim has collected his community coaching licenses from BC Soccer (Children, Youth, and Adult), as well as his Pre-B Provincial License. He has completed his training for the B Provincial License and is in the process of becoming certified.

Tim’s love of soccer has taken him around the world, first as a member of Roman Tulis teams that competed at and won tournaments in Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, and later as a coach at tournaments in Sweden and Denmark. He is a fanatic Liverpool FC supporter who in 2014 completed his pilgrimage to Anfield to watch Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-0. He has also been to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he was in the stadium for the Final, and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where he saw both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play live.

Niall Cousens | Assistant Coach

Niall trained with Roman Tulis for 9 years, and was recognized for his excellence with the School Boy award in 2006. This is his second year as a coach in the full-time program.

After graduating from the school, Niall ventured overseas to play professionally in the Czech Republic for 3 years with SK Slavia Praha. He then returned to Vancouver to pursue an education while competing for UBC Men’s Soccer team. He won the National Championship with UBC in 2014, earning MVP honours in the final, before captaining the team in 2015. Niall was also named Canada West 1st Team All-Star for his 2014 and 2015 seasons with UBC. During the off-season, he played for and captained the Vancouver Whitecaps U23 team, which has since turned into Whitecaps FC 2.

Niall loves creating an environment where players can improve. He credits the top-level coaching at Roman Tulis for much of his athletic success, and is excited to be able to pass on the characteristics of respect, integrity, and sportsmanship that he learned as a player. Off the field, Niall enjoys playing the guitar and piano and spending time with family. He is currently training to become a police officer.

Kiefer Donnelley-Sui | Assistant Coach

Kiefer began training with Roman Tulis in 2002 and so has been with the school for more than 14 years. He has 4 years of coaching experience in the full-time program.

As a player, Kiefer was part of the 2007 Roman Tulis team that won the Dana Cup and finished 3rd in the Gothia Cup.

He loves to coach because it gives him an opportunity to pass on what he learned to a new generation of players. He identifies Roman Tulis as a place where players can learn, have fun, and express themselves.

In the future, Kiefer hopes to go to film school and to pursue a career in media arts.

Connor Mrazek | Junior Coach

Connor Mrazek has trained with Roman Tulis Soccer for the past 8 years, and recently won our School Boy Award in recognition of his commitment to excellence as a player, teammate, and leader. He represents Fusion FC in the BCSPL and is a frequent member of the BC Provincial Team. He hopes to one day play soccer professionally either in North America or overseas, and has already taken a big step towards that goal in the form of a training stint with FK Dukla Praha’s youth side in the Czech Republic this past summer.

Connor credits his passion for coaching to the valuable sporting and life lessons that he received from his coaches at Roman Tulis Soccer over the years. He is excited about the opportunity to create a similarly positive learning experience for the young players in our school by mentoring them to become both better players and better people. Wherever his future endeavours take him, Connor hopes to continue coaching and to be a part of the Tulis soccer family for many years to come.

Connor’s favourite soccer team is Manchester United and he makes sure to watch all of their games. When he’s not watching the Red Devils (or playing as them on FIFA 17), he enjoys playing volleyball, skiing, and flying recreationally with his Dad.

When he hangs up his boots at the end of his soccer career, Connor would like to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Gabby Turner | Junior Coach

Gabby has trained at Roman Tulis for 6 years, during which time she has been – and continues to be – a leader among her peers. Gabby’s hard work was recognized in December 2016 when she was presented with our coveted School Girl trophy, awarded annually to the best female soccer player in our school. As a coach, Gabby has a growing portfolio of experience, having taught our young players for 2 years in our full-time program and 4 years in our Spring and Summer Camps.

Gabby loves to coach because she enjoys helping our young players to achieve their full potential both as soccer players and as people. In the future she hopes to go to university to become a Paediatric Occupational Nurse.

Sara Smyth | Junior Coach

Before stepping over the touchline into a coaching role, Sara spent 4 years training at Roman Tulis and was consistently one of the strongest players in her training groups. Sara enjoys sharing her love of the game with our young players, leading by example with her her trademark enthusiasm and discipline.

She currently represents Fusion FC in the BCSPL, her second team in the league after winning the BCSPL Provincial Cup in 2014 with Coquitlam Metro-Ford. She was also a member of the BC Provincial Team in 2014. Sara’s other career highlights include being named Burnaby District Metro Selects’ Most Valuable Player in 2015, being selected to the All-Star Team in the 2016 Whitecaps FC Showcase, and earning a silver medal at the 2016 BC Schools Girls AA Provincial Championships.