News & Notes
- Players selected into Phase II of the program will be emailed the dates of travel into Toronto in April and the training weekends leading up to this event.
- Reminder to all parents travelling to Toronto that these are all expenses paid by the parents.
T-Bay Star Shining Example Of Northern Ontario Talent Pool
VAUGHAN, ON -- Olivia Colosimo began playing soccer at the age of 6 when she was first spotted by the coaching staff at the Lakehead Express Soccer Club in Thunder Bay.
The club provided key opportunities, resources and support in developing the young player for four years before she was invited into the OSA’s Regional Player Development Program.
At the age of 13, Olivia was identified into the U14 provincial program and made the Ontario Team that won the gold medal at the U14 National Championships.
The following year, she continued to play for Lakehead Express and made the U15 Provincial Team. A year later at the age of 15, Olivia made a career decision to move to Toronto to play her club soccer.
She continued in the Regional Player Development Program and made the U16 provincial team which won gold at the U16 National Championship.
At this point, Olivia was selected into the NTC program and she decided to move to Toronto full-time in order to pursue her goal of representing Canada one day.
“Olivia is a great example of how the OSA’s Regional Program can embrace and help to grow the potential of a talented player regardless of their geographical location,” says Bryan Rosenfeld, Director of Player Development, NTCO U17 Women's Coach and himself a product of the Thunder Bay talent pool.
“As the player moves higher up the competition ladder, self-sacrifice in terms of time away from family and friends in order to participate in Provincial training throughout the year becomes part of the equation, including long-term relocation.
“The best players must train and play with the best players all the time, so relocation at the age of 16 is mandatory for any player who aspires to the highest level.
“For the boys, this may mean travelling to Europe or to our National Training Centre in Vaughan, Ontario. This was the path chosen by Olivia and we have seen a massive improvement in every aspect of her game since relocation.
“She is a very talented player and her ability reflects the quality coaching she received at the Club and Regional level at an early age.
“Talent is not enough, however -- Olivia has great drive, discipline and passion for the game. She is hungry -- perhaps hungrier than many other players -- and that quality gives her an edge in the pursuit of her goal to represent Canada in 4 years at the U-20 level and to attain a full scholarship at a quality University or College in the US.
“Olivia has made this happen with great support from her parents and community who can be proud of her accomplishments to date. If she continues at the rate she is going, I foresee a bright future for Olivia in Canadian Women's Soccer.”