HALIFAX, N.S. (Oct. 6, 2026) – Halifax Tides FC announced today that head coach Stephen Hart will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2026 season, bringing to a close a meaningful chapter in the club's journey with one of the most respected figures in Canadian soccer.
Hart stepped into the role midway through the club's inaugural campaign in 2025, taking over and steadily rebuilding the team into a competitive side. Since the start of the 2026 season, he has helped reshape the roster, guiding the Tides to six wins so far this year.
Hart will continue in his role as head coach and lead the team through the remainder of the 2026 season.
"Stephen has made a tremendous impact on this club, and his contribution extends far beyond what happens on the pitch," said Ruth Fahy, vice-president of football for Halifax Tides FC. "He has built meaningful and lasting relationships with our players, staff and supporters, and has brought a genuine sense of care and belief to the Tides throughout his time here. Hearing our fans chant his name and seeing the warmth they have for him speaks volumes about the person Stephen is and the way he has embraced both this club and our community. We are incredibly grateful for everything he has given to the Tides, and for the lasting contribution he has made to our people, our supporters and our journey as a club."
Hart's connection to Halifax soccer runs deep and long predates his time with the Tides. He first arrived in Nova Scotia to play at Saint Mary's University, and over the decades that followed became one of the most respected figures in the region's soccer community, coaching at the youth, university and provincial levels before taking on the professional game. He served as the original head coach of the Halifax Wanderers when the club launched in the Canadian Premier League, leading the team through its formative seasons. On the national stage, Hart twice served as head coach of Canada's men's national team, and also coached the Trinidad and Tobago national team, giving him a level of international experience few coaches in the country can match.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to the ownership, Courtney Sherlock, the board, our backroom staff, our players and, most importantly, the incredible fans of the Halifax Tides for their support during what was a very difficult time for my family and me,” said Head Coach Stephen Hart.
"From the beginning, my intention was to help build a lasting professional women's soccer program in Halifax – one that could inspire aspiring players, create opportunities for the next generation and give this community a team it could be proud of. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who shared this journey with me. It was an honour to work alongside such dedicated people and to be part of the growth of women's professional soccer in our city. I sincerely hope the Halifax Tides continue to grow and thrive and become everything this city, its players and its fans deserve."
Halifax Tides FC said its focus for the remainder of the season is firmly on the push for the playoffs, with the team determined to extend its season and continue competing beyond the regular season. An update on the club’s next head coach will follow in the coming weeks.
About Halifax Tides FC
Halifax Tides FC is a professional soccer club based in Halifax, N.S., competing in the Northern Super League. The Tides are dedicated to growing soccer in Atlantic Canada, promoting inclusivity and inspiring the next generation of players and fans.
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Media Contact:
Emily Vincent
Director of Marketing & Communications
emily.vincent@tidesfc.ca