Joyous FC Coaching Staff

Kozo Manome - Head Coach & Owner
​Coach Kozo is the owner and head coach of Joyous FC. In the winter of 2005, Kozo retired from his semi-professional career in Japan and had moved to Vancouver in 2006. He started playing soccer again in 2008 to help learn English and to meet new people. Kozo played across several top flight teams in Vancouver but realized there were very few Japanese players or a Japanese team. Kozo wanted to build a team where local Japanese players could play at a top level. From there Kozo created a team Japan and Joyous Soccer as an academy to feed into the men's team. 10 years since the creation of the academy, youths that have been participating since they were the age of 3 were able to contribute to Team Japan winning the 2021 Kelme Cup along with both winning the Knight League and Kelme Cup in 2022.

Joyous FC was established in 2017 and has continued to grow as a community-based club in Greater Vancouver. In 2025, the club proudly won the BC “Nations Cup.”Under his leadership, Joyous FC provides a positive and challenging environment where players can pursue their goals while enjoying the game. Together with coaches and families, the club is rooted in and supported by the Japanese community in Vancouver.

Playing Experience
Semi-Pro in Japan
2008-2010 Vancouver Olympics (VMSL Div 1)
2011-2017 Columbus FC (VMSL Premier)
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Playing Awards
2011-2012 BC Provincial Finalists
2013 VMSL Premier Champions
2010,2011 VMSL Premier All Star
2010-2011 Columbus Rookie of the Year

Coaching Experience
2009-Current Joyous FC
2012-Current Team Japan
2018-2019 Columbus FC VMSL Div 1
2019-2020 Columbus FC VMSL Premier
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Team Awards
2021,2022 Kelme Cup Champion (Team Japan)
2022 Knight League Premier Champion (Joyous FC)
​2025 Nations Cup Champion (Team Japan)

Junji Nishizawa - Coach
​​We are excited to introduce Junji Nishizawa (Coach Nishi), who joined the JOYOUS FC coaching staff in January 2026. Junji's lifelong passion for football began at the age of eight, eventually leading him to sign his first professional contract in Japan’s J-League at the age of 18. His professional playing career continued for 16 years until his retirement at 34.Throughout the many challenges of professional sports, Junji’s resilience was fueled by his genuine love for the game and the unwavering support of his teammates, staff, and family. Beyond technical skills, he is dedicated to teaching young players the multifaceted joy of soccer, the value of a strong support system, and the importance of embracing new challenges.

Playing Experience
​1993–1996 Verdy Kawasaki (J1 League)
1997–1999 Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 League)
2000 Kawasaki Frontale (J1 League)
2001–2002.6 Nagoya Grampus (J1 League)
2002.7–2002.12 Kashima Antlers (J1 League)
2003–2007 Consadole Sapporo (J2 League)
2008 Consadole Sapporo (J1 League)

1995 Japan U-23 National Team

Coaching Experience
Taizan Soccer Academy
Vancouver Stellar Soccer Club

Qualifications
JFA (Japan Football Association) Certified Class B Coaching License

Tyler Mertens - Coach
​​Coach Tyler has extensive soccer experience and has played at the highest level from youth to adult soccer. He was selected for the BC provincial team (4years), NTC West (National Training Center), and the Whitecaps residency program. He then went on to play soccer at UBC where he won rookie of the year and captured back to back national championships. As a coach, he enjoys teaching the fundamentals of defending and to show the benefits of having a good defensive skill set. 

Tyler has also obtained his Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 and runs his sessions in both English and Japanese.

Playing Experience
BC Provincial Team (4 Years)
NTC West (4 Years)
Whitecaps Residency (2 Years)
Metro Ford BCSPL
UBC Men's Varsity (5 Years)

Individual Awards
UBC Men's Rookie of the Year
Academic All Canadian x3
Canada West First Team All Star

Team Awards
2012,2013 National Championships (UBC)

Yugo Yanagi - Coach
​​​Coach ​Yugo is currently studying at college while coaching at Joyous FC. He leads regular training sessions as well as private and semi-private lessons.

Passionate about soccer since childhood, he enjoys sharing his experience and love for the game with young players. Drawing from his own injury experiences, he is also interested in helping players understand their bodies and train safely.

He aims to create a supportive environment where players feel comfortable - like having an older brother on the field.

Playing Experience
Shohei High School (Japan)
Joyous FC

Coaching Experience
Taizan Soccer Academy
​Joyous FC

​Team Awards
​2025 Nations Cup Champion (Team Japan)

Yujin Manome - Coach
Coach Yujin has been part of Joyous FC since he was two years old and is proud to now give back to the club as a coach. He developed his game in Vancouver before competing in Japan at the high school level, gaining experience in different training environments and approaches to player development.
Through these experiences, he learned the importance of strong fundamentals, discipline, and consistent daily improvement. As a coach, he focuses on helping young players build technical confidence, good habits, and a strong understanding of the game in a supportive and positive environment.
Currently playing for the Joyous FC men’s team and his college soccer team, Coach Yujin continues to train and improve every day. As an active player, he understands what it takes to grow and is committed to guiding each child step by step toward reaching their full potential.

Playing Experience
2010-2018 ICSF
2018-2020 Fusion FC
2020-2021 Kainan Milagroso
2021-2024 Kindai University Highschool
2024- Joyous FC
2025- Langara Falcons

Coaching Experience
Joyous FC

​Team Awards
​2025 Nations Cup Champion (Team Japan)

Individual Awards
2025 Nations Cup New-comer Award

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We Are Growing Our Coaching Team
Joyous FC is always looking for passionate and dedicated coaches who share our vision.
If you are interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Us →