Ontario Soccer is proud to recognize the significant impact of Canada Soccer's AccelerateHER program on our local coaching community. This initiative, designed to help close the gender gap in advanced coaching, has awarded grants to 50 dedicated female Coaches across the nation. Of the recipients, 13 Ontario Coaches were selected, representing a variety of Clubs throughout the province:
A-Diploma Workshop
- Mallory MacDonald - Brams United Soccer Club
- Melanie Jimenez - BVB International Waterloo
- Laura Arduini - North Mississauga SC
- Christina Romanelli - Toronto Blizzard SC
B-Diploma Workshop
- Andrea Petrina - Hamilton United Elite Soccer Club
- Natasha Araya Lentz - Toronto High Park FC
- Brogan Marhsalsey - BVB International Waterloo
- Sydney Vander Hoef - Guelph Youth Soccer Club
- Laura Twidle - Oakville Soccer Club
- Simone Chiodo - FC Durham Academy
- Francesca Cardwell - Burlington Soccer Club
- Faziela Haffejee - FC Durham Academy
- Tessa Dimitrakopoulos - Oak Ridges Soccer Club
- Sarah Pacheco - London TFC
Children’s Diploma Workshop
- Cassandra Briscoe - Future Girls Soccer United
Click here to see the full list of AccelerateHER grant recipients from across Canada.
Canada Soccer received overwhelming interest from women coaches across the country in response to the AccelerateHER program launch. The demand underscores the need for initiatives like AccelerateHER to advance and support women in coaching. The highly enthusiastic engagement we have received highlights the untapped potential and eagerness among women coaches to excel in our game. AccelerateHER is a vital step towards creating an inclusive and equitable coaching landscape in Canada Soccer.
— SARA MCCONAGHY, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & FUND DEVELOPMENT, CANADA SOCCER
Ontario Soccer is proud to be part of this transformative initiative and remains dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in coaching. The AccelerateHER program represents a significant step forward, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on women coaches in Ontario and beyond.
On top of the individual grants, the AccelerateHER program is funding four all-women C-Diploma workshops in collaboration with Alberta Soccer, Manitoba Soccer Association, Soccer Quebec, and Soccer Nova Scotia. These workshops are designed to provide a supportive and empowering environment for women coaches to enhance their skills and expand their networks.
For more information about the AccelerateHER program and upcoming opportunities, please visit Canada Soccer's AccelerateHER program webpage.