Cassius Mendonca

Cassius Mendonça is an accomplished field hockey coach with over two decades of experience in developing and leading high-performance teams at collegiate, club, and international levels. A Certified Level 3 NCCP (CAC) and FIH Level 3 Competition Coach, Cassius is deeply invested in fostering competitive, resilient athletes who excel both on and off the field.

Currently serving as the Head Coach at the University of Toronto since 2017, Cassius has demonstrated his strategic acumen by guiding the Varsity Blues to two OUA Conference Championships in 2021 and 2023. His dedication was recognized early on when he received the OUA Head Coach of the Year award in 2017. Cassius is known for his meticulous approach to video analysis and short-corner techniques, utilizing platforms such as NACSPORT Scout+, SportCode, TeamXStream, iCoda, and KlipDraw Animator to refine team and individual strategies. His commitment extends beyond athletic development, as he actively supports his players’ academic success, maintaining an open-door policy and helping to implement study plans for student-athletes in need

In addition to his university role, Cassius is the Head Coach and Director of A&C Field Hockey Academy, where he has been coaching since 2011. The Academy reflects his commitment to nurturing young talent by providing specialized coaching in both technical and tactical aspects of the game, preparing athletes for competitive success.

Cassius’s national and international experience includes serving as an Assistant Coach and Video Analyst for Canada’s Junior National Team in the 2022 Junior World Cup in South Africa and the Junior Pan American Championship in 2024. Here, he was instrumental in crafting game strategies through rigorous video analysis and tactical preparation. His previous roles also include leading Canada’s Indoor National Team at the Indoor World Cup Qualifiers (2010-2012) and Ontario’s High-Performance Training Center, where he has contributed to the success of several teams in national tournaments.

Known for his ability to develop resilient, skilled athletes, Cassius’s coaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision, mental toughness, and academic integrity. His track record of fostering high-level athletes and teams stands as a testament to his expertise, making him a respected leader in the Canadian field hockey community.

International and National Team

• Coach, Women’s National Indoor Squad, Can-Am Series, Toronto 2019
• Head Coach, U21 Women’s National Indoor Squad, Can-Am Series, Pennsylvania 2015
• Assistant Coach, Women’s National Indoor Team, World Cup, Germany 2015
• Assistant Coach, Women’s National Indoor Squad, Four Nations Series, Mississauga, 2014
• Assistant Coach, Women’s National Indoor Team, Pan American Indoor Cup, Uruguay 2014, Gold
• Head Coach, Women’s National Indoor Team, Pan American Indoor Cup, Venezuela 2010
• Video and Technical Analyst, Women’s World Cup Qualifier San Diego,
  California 2010
• Coaching Staff, Women’s National Team 2009 (Selection Camps)
• Assistant Coach, World Games Duisburg, Germany (men) 2006
• Assistant Coach, Indoor World Cup – Men, Vienna Austria 2006
• Assistant Coach and Penalty Corner Specialist, U21 Jr. Men’s Pan American Outdoor World Cup Qualifiers, Trinidad & Tobago 2008
• Coach, Eastern Canada Junior Field Hockey Outdoor Squad 2004-2006
• Assistant Coach, Pan American Indoor Games, Kitchener, ON Canada (men) 2005
• Coach, Eastern Squad Junior National Team Players 2004-2005

University

• Head Coach, University of Toronto 2017-Current
• Assistant Coach, University of Toronto, CIS Gold Medalist 2010, CIS Silver 2011
• Assistant Coach and Penalty Corner Specialist 2009-2016, Outdoor, University of Toronto

Ontario/Provincial High Performance

• Head Coach Provincial Women’s U-18 Central Team, Bronze 2019
• Head Coach Provincial Men’s U18 Indoor – Training Sessions 2007-2009
• Provincial Women’s U-18 Women’s Development 2009
• Ontario Head Coach High Performance Training Center – FHO
• Head Coach Ontario Senior Men’s Outdoor, Calgary 2008
• Head Coach Indoor Senior Men’s Ontario, (Nationals-Gold) Head Coach 2008/09
• Head Coach U18 Women’s Ontario Development Squad (Outdoor)
• Assistant Coach Senior Women Ontario Team (Nationals 2009, 2nd)
• Ontario Head Coach at Senior Women’s National Camp 2009

Academy

• Head Coach ACFHA High Performance Training, 2011-Current
• Video Analyst, 2011-Current
• Tactician and Technical Specialist, 2011-Current
• Coach Trainer, 2011-Current

Club

• Head Coach U-18 Men’s Program Titans FHC 2001-2008
• Competed in USA Big Apple, Canadian Holidays, New York, Ottawa National Cup 2003-Current
• MFHC (Miss FHC) 2009-2010, U18 Men and Women