How do you prepare for your final home game? Stephen “Ness” Timmons is about to find out. After 31 years as coach of the Cape Breton University women’s soccer team, Timmons is gearing up for his final home game with the team on Sunday. “It hasn’t hit me yet,” Timmons said. “I’ve been enjoying every day of the season. “We’ll try to treat this as any other game, but this is special.” Timmons has helped lead the women’s soccer team to 14 Atlantic University Sport championships since taking over the program in the mid 1990s. Later this month they hope to repeat their success as they head to Newfoundland for the 2026 championship. “We’ve been in the picture each year for many years,” Timmons said. “You never know what can happen. We know there are other factors. We’ll be ready to go. “We’re going to try our best regardless of outside factors. Try to win like any other year.” Reflecting on his career as he approaches the finish line, Timmons said he tried to coach his players holistically. “It’s a program more than just a team,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure and privilege to coach at this level. “Coaching university soccer, I feel as a coach you have to have support from the upper levels. CBU (Cape Breton University) has given me great support. I’m grateful for the position I’m in and for what they’ve done. It’s a total team effort.” Timmons’s advice for whoever steps into his role as head coach is to look at the bigger picture. Looking to the future, Timmons doesn’t have any plans for retirement save for one: watching and supporting the soccer team. The Cape Breton University women’s soccer team will face the University of Moncton at 1 p.m. on Sunday. There will be a ceremony on the field after the game in honour of Timmons. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
