Signed by 61 Made in Ontario sport professionals

As February kicks off, we at Ontario Soccer are proud to honour Black History Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, brilliance and unyielding spirit that has defined generations of Black athletes, coaches and leaders that have left a positive impact on our game. Black History Month is also an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to reflect on the inequalities that still exist in our society and sport to this day.

 

To every young Black soccer player and individual in our sport across Ontario and beyond.
This message is for you:

We see you. We see your passion as you chase the ball with dreams of greatness in your heart. We see your determination to overcome challenges, whether on the field, at the office or in life. We see the joy you bring to your teammates, your communities and to the game itself. You are the future of soccer, and you are a vital part of its present.

But we also know that your journey may not always be easy. There may be moments when the weight of prejudice feels heavy, when words or actions attempt to dim your light. To those moments, we say: do not let them define you. Your worth is not determined by the narrow-mindedness of others. Your dreams are valid, your talent is immense, and your potential is limitless.

Remember that you walk in the footsteps of giants. Legends like Dwayne De Rosario, Charmaine Hooper, Kadeisha Buchanan and Jonathan David have shown that excellence knows no boundaries. These trailblazers faced their own battles but emerged as icons, paving the way for the next generation—for you. Their stories remind us that greatness is possible, even in the face of adversity.

At Ontario Soccer, we are committed to creating spaces where EVERYONE IS WELCOME. Our ongoing efforts to address systemic inequities include a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion course that is set to debut at the 2025 Ontario Soccer Summit, with a membership-wide launch this spring. The course will give our members the tools to effectively address issues, assist with creating policies, procedures and messaging, and most importantly, to change the culture in our soccer communities. But there is always more work to be done, and we promise to continue standing with you every step of the way.

To all the Black Members of our soccer community in Ontario, especially those young Black soccer players reading this: never underestimate the power of your presence. By simply being you, you challenge stereotypes and expand the horizons of what is possible. Your passion for soccer has the power to inspire others, to build bridges, and to change the game—both literally and figuratively.

We encourage you to dream big, to find strength in your identity, and to never stop believing in yourself. Celebrate your culture, your heritage, and the unique perspective you bring to the field. Embrace the allies who stand beside you, and let their support lift you higher.

Know that you are not alone. You are part of a vast and supportive community that believes in you and stands ready to uplift you. Together, we are stronger. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, to make soccer truly for everyone, and to ensure that the next generation faces fewer barriers and more opportunities.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us remember that the work of building an inclusive soccer community is ongoing. Let us honour the past, embrace the present, and envision a future where every player, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive.

Young players, your journey matters. Your dreams matter. And above all, you matter. Believe in yourself and be proud of who you are. Don’t let the biases of society or some of its members become reality—It would be a serious mistake. Keep playing, keep dreaming, and keep making history—on and off the field.

With hope and solidarity,

Black Members of the Ontario Soccer community

Here is the full and most recent list of Made in Ontario athletes, coaches, match officials, and administrators who have signed. Other black members of our soccer family who would like to add their names to the list, can reach out to Ontario Soccer’s Manager of Digital Strategy and Communications, Ben Lungo at blungo@ontariosoccer.net.

Signed by (in alphabetical order):

Akissi Amelie Koffi, Match Official, Soutwest Soccer

Anthony Rodney, Player, Woodbridge Soccer Club

Ariel Desmond, Match Official, East Central Ontario Soccer Association

Ashtone Morgan, TFC Alumni; Manager, Player Engagement & Alumni Relations, Toronto FC (Major League Soccer)

Audrey Unga, Player, Oakville Soccer Club

Avarie Thomas, Player, FC London (League1 Ontario); University of Western Ontario

Ben Lungo, Manager, Digital Strategy and Communications, Ontario Soccer

Bing Wang, Match Official, Hamilton Soccer

Bola Avolonto, Team Official, King United Soccer Club

Brayden Comber, Match Official, Durham Region Soccer Association

Chris Spencer, Match Official, Scarborough Soccer Referee Association (SSRA)

Christopher Kalongo, Player, Hamilton Forge FC (Canadian Premier League)

Croix Soto, Player, AFC Toronto of the newly formed Northern Super League (NSL)

Elijah Adekugbe, Player, York United FC (Canadian Premier League)

Esther Okoronkwo, Player, AFC Toronto of the newly formed Northern Super League (NSL)

Gerald Woodman, Match Official, Ontario Soccer

Hugh Cato, Match Official, Huronia District Soccer Association

Jazmine Wilkinson, Player, Ottawa Rapids of the newly formed Northern Super League (NSL)

Joe Fletcher, Chief Refereeing Officer, Professional Referee Organization. Officiated the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Jonathan Grant, Player, Atletico Ottawa; 3x CPL Champion with Hamilton Forge

Jordan Lynch-Roach, Manager, Member Services, Ontario Soccer

Joseph Silva, Match Official, Cambridge Soccer

Julian Franklin, Vice President, Partnership Development & Strategy, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE)

Justin Bovell, Volunteer, Ontario Soccer

Justin Ndes, Match Official, Ontario Soccer

Jyanessa Sealy, Player, Guelph United FC (League1 Ontario); Wilfred Laurier University

Kadeisha Buchanan, Player, Chelsea FC Women and Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team

Kamilia Barradas, Match Official, Ontario Soccer

Kanika Johnson, Match Officials, Toronto Soccer Association (TSA)

Kévin David Nogueira Carvalho Santos, Player, Atletico Ottawa

Kiara Hackett, Player, University of New Brunswick

Kembo Kibato, Player, York United FC (Canadian Premier League)

LeRoy Ahyee, Match Official, Ontario Soccer

Lyndon Hooper, Coordinator, Coach Development, Ontario Soccer; and Canada Soccer Hall of Famer

Maailah Blackwood, Manager, Communications and Community Engagement, AFC Toronto of the newly formed Northern Super League (NSL)

Malik Owolabi-Belewu, Player, Hamilton Forge FC (Canadian Premier League)

Mata Boboy, Coach, Greater Sudbury Soccer Club

Michael Njuakom, Match Official, Peel Halton Soccer Association (PHSA)

Michael "Pinball" Clemons, General Manager, Toronto Argonauts Football Club

Dr. Moriba Baker, Board Member, Ontario Soccer

Mugove Manikwa, Match Official, Cambridge Soccer

Nikayla Small, Player, AFC Toronto of the newly formed Norther Super League (NSL)

Noah Berger, Player, Richmond Hill Soccer Club

Noah Rowe, Player, North Toronto Soccer

Nyal Higgins, Player, York United FC (Canadian Premier League)

Paulo Jorge, Match Official, Eastern Ontario Soccer

Rabie Belhilali, Match Official, Erin Mills Soccer Club

Ramathan Juuko, Match Official, Peel Halton Soccer Association (PHSA)

Robin Fraser, Head Coach, Toronto FC (Major League Soccer)

Sam Martins, Coach and Match Official, Greater Sudbury Soccer Club

Sandra Riberdy, Diversity Officer, Ontario Soccer

Sarfo Kessie, Match Official, Peel Halton Soccer Association (PHSA)

Sasha Marikano, Player, Guelph United FC (League1 Ontario); Wilfred Laurier University

Solomon Amoako, Board Member, Ontario Soccer

Steffen Yeates, Player, York United FC (Canadian Premier League)

Taurean Allen, Parent, Juventus Academy

Timothy Adeyemo, Match Official, Ontario Soccer

Vivette Young, Head Referre, Brampton Soccer Club (PHSA)

Yazmeen Jamieson, Player, Simcoe County Rovers (League1 Ontario)

Youssef Boulis, Match Official, Richmond Hill Soccer Club

Zayne Bruno, Player, Hamilton Forge FC (Canadian Premier League)