Play. Inspire. Unite.
Ontario Soccer and its premier partner, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, are proud to announce the recipients of the MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders “Class of ‘22” initiative, which is an integral element of the innovative MilkUP Future Leaders Youth Leadership Development Framework originally launched in spring of 2021.
The MilkUP Ontario Soccer Future Leaders “Class of ‘22” recognizes the achievements and impact of youth in the soccer community. The selected group of deserving award winners embodies the Ontario Soccer tagline of “Play. Inspire. Unite.” in both their soccer community and their home community.
The “Class of ‘22” awardees all have consistently demonstrated an attitude of resilience, and a strong work ethic. Most importantly, they all share future aspirations of leadership within the ‘beautiful game,’ all being driven to continue their journey of soccer involvement and community contribution as leaders, players, coaches, match officials and/or administrators.
This award includes a $500 education credit per recipient to be used for soccer leadership education such as an eligible Ontario Soccer Coach Education, Match Official Development courses, and more.
Ontario Soccer recognizes that the last few years in particular have posed unprecedented challenges to the physical and mental well-being of all participants, in particular the youth under our care and stewardship.
As such, it is vital to provide enhanced support and opportunity to these future sport and community leaders to unlock the potential that soccer participation has for their future success. Ontario Soccer is grateful to its premier partners, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, who wholeheartedly share in this commitment to foster youth leadership development through better sport experiences.
The Class of ’22 Education Grant Recipients are:
Recipient |
Areas of Interest |
Club Affiliation |
Shaelyn Mitchell |
Coaching, Match Officiating, Leadership |
Cambridge Soccer |
Marko Josipovic |
Match Officiating, Leadership |
South Burlington Football Club |
Sally Steinberg |
Coaching, Match Officiating, Leadership |
Oakville Soccer Club |
Justin Siahlu |
Coaching |
Toronto United Soccer Club |
Rachel Gopalakrishnan |
Coaching |
Ottawa TFC |
Gianluca Pomponio |
Match Officiating |
Tecumseh Soccer Club |
Olivia Fan |
Coaching, Match Officiating |
Ottawa South United |
Adam Shaikh |
Coaching, Leadership |
Pickering FC |
Elizabeth Maione |
Coaching, Leadership |
Pickering FC |
Blake Rosener |
Administration/Program Management |
Greater Sudbury Soccer Club |
Daniela Pasquale |
Coaching |
Vaughan Soccer Club |
Anthony Arruda |
Coaching, Match Officiating, Administration/Program Management, Leadership |
Brampton Soccer Club |
Camille Jelinek |
Coaching |
East Gwillimbury Soccer Club |
Ontario Soccer is looking forward to further strengthening its commitment to the advancement of youth leadership development via continued delivery and refinement of the MilkUP Future Leaders Youth Leadership Development Framework for the 2023 season and beyond.
For more details regarding this program, visit the Centre Circle Awards section of the Ontario Soccer website.