Stephen Hart

Hart spent his early playing career in his native Trinidad and Tobago, and after progressing in the youth ranks of the San Fernando Hurricanes, joined Professional Football League club Texaco in 1979. He spent a year with the Halifax Privateers in an amateur league in Halifax, Nova Scotia before returning to Trinidad to play for the San Fernando Strikers. He then returned to Halifax playing for amateur clubs King of Donair in 1983 and Americas. After moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia to continue his education, Hart also played for the Saint Mary's Huskies, the university soccer team, and was named an Atlantic University Sport all-star midfielder. In 2016, Hart was recognised in the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame.

In 1980, Hart was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He earned seven caps.

Early career

Hart began his coaching career while in university, volunteering his time to coach children. He took his first coaching position in 1989 as a player-manager for semi-professional club King of Donair. Hart coached the team to four consecutive league titles and six cups. In 1993, he was named technical director of Soccer Nova Scotia and remained in the position for eight years. Hart also served as Nova Scotia's head coach to win bronze medals at the 1993 Canada Games and 2001 Canada Games. Hart returned to Saint Mary's University to coach the Saint Mary's Huskies women's team for four years.

Canada

In September 1997, Hart served as assistant coach for the Canada U23 national team at the Jeux de la Francophonie. He was named Canada U17 national team assistant coach in April 2000, and after two years was promoted to head coach of the U17s and Canada U20 national team. He remained with the U17s until May 2007. Hart was named Canada national team assistant coach in July 2005 under Frank Yallop, and in 2006, stepped in as the senior team's interim coach. He led Canada to a semi-final spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup but was replaced by Dale Mitchell ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. In April 2009, Hart was named as interim head coach for a second time after the departure of Mitchell. He was named permanent head coach for the first time in December 2009. Hart resigned in October 2012 after suffering an 8–1 loss to Honduras in 2014 FIFA World Cup…

Hart was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up in Marabella and La Romaine. He attended the San Fernando Boys' Government School and St Benedicts College, and graduated from St Mary's University in 1985 with a degree in marine biology. He is a long-time Halifax resident and lives with his wife, a Nova Scotia native, and their three daughters.