Lucas Dias is a former Sporting FC Toronto Academy player who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Sporting CP U-23 Squad in Lisbon Portugal. Lucas Dias has also made appearances for the Portugal national Youth teams.
Birth date: 18 March 1993
Entry date: April 2019
Born and raised in Albania, Ajvi started to play soccer at 4 years old in the streets of Vlora. He moved to Canada at 8 years old and began to play organized soccer with Boca Juniors. This helped him tremendously in making new friends and easing the transition into a new country and culture. As a young athlete, Ajvi played various sports including futsal and basketball. During his high school years, Ajvi played OYSL with Toronto Sporting as a striker/ attacking midfielder, coming back in April 2019 to begin his coaching career. He also volunteers to coach his high school team, Richview Collegiate Institute and led the Juniors (gr. 9 and 10) to the City Title in 2019. In his spare time, Ajvi loves to travel and has visited Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Ajvi holds a Finance Degree from Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University with hopes of pursuing a Masters in Sports Management. He is extremely passionate about coaching and harbours dreams of coaching in a professional capacity in the future.
Background: Albanian
Hobbies: Soccer, reading, traveling and investing
Coaching Certification: Ontario Soccer C License*
*ongoing
Birth date: 16 December 1998
Entry date: June 2021
Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Liam’s first competitive sport was hockey which he started to play at the age of 8 as a goaltender. Soccer was always his second sport until he decided to join a club to play competitively, at 12 years old. During this time he experienced multiple positions on the field, being the most frequent a winger and full back. Liam studies at Humber College Business and Administration and he’s currently also working as a meat cutter in the food industry. Liam’s first coaching experience was at 18, which he is now very passionate about. Liam is a very enthusiastic coach who tries to help all players in any way he can to develop their knowledge and character both on the field and off the field. Liam believes that hard work will equal success in everything you do in your life as well as in soccer.
Background: Italian
Hobbies: Listen to rap music, watching soccer and hockey
Coaching certification:
Soccer for life
Ontario Soccer C License (Trained)
UEFA C*
* Ongoing
Birth date: 12 February 1990
Entry date: October 2018
Born in Uruguay and raised in both Canada and Uruguay, Ignacio started to play soccer at the age of 6 until he reached University level. At a competitive level, Ignacio played various positions at different clubs in Uruguay and Montreal. He has also played other competitive sports such as tennis, basketball and track and field. Now working in the health care industry, Ignacio completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Concordia University in Montreal, where he also played for the varsity team as a Central Midfielder. There he learned about the importance of good fitness training and nutrition to be injury free, which he promotes and shares with his players. Now in a more recreational setting in the city of Toronto, Ignacio still has a passion for playing, for coaching education and for travelling. In 2018 Ignacio travelled to Russia to watch the round of 16 Uruguay Vs Portugal to support his home country.
Background: Uruguayan
Hobbies: Soccer, Fitness, Gardening, General Knowledge
Coaching certification:
Making Ethical Decisions
Learn to train
Fundamentals*
* Ongoing
Birth date: 4 April 1983
Entry date: June 2021
Born and raised in Portugal, Filipe started to play soccer at the age of 6 until 18, having played one season at the senior level. During this time he gained experience in multiple positions as a defender and defensive midfielder. Besides soccer, Filipe was also involved in other activities such as cross-country, canoeing and boy scouts. Filipe moved to Canada at 23 years old and he is currently working as a handyman in Toronto. Father of 3, Filipe decided to invest in coaching after his son started to play the beautiful game. In 2018 he created a Facebook group called “Canadian Soccer Coaches Network” to develop the passion and knowledge for teaching the game to our Canadian athletes and aspiring coaches. Filipe has experience in a variety of coaching roles in different clubs and age groups. Filipe’s philosophy is focused on understanding the needs of the players and their cognitive development.
Background: Portuguese
Hobbies: Barbecuing and watch soccer games
Coaching certification:
Soccer for life
Ontario Soccer C License (Trained)
UEFA C*
* Ongoing
Birth date: 06 January 1981
Entry date: August 2020
Luis Aguillon started to play soccer at the age of 7 with his friends, until he joined one of Pumas’ academies in his hometown, Queretaro, for which he played as a right winger. At 18 he joined the University of La Salle Bajío to study Industrial Engineering where he also played as an attacking midfielder. After finishing his degree, Luis traveled to Europe for 3 months before deciding to move to Toronto to look for more opportunities. Luis likes to travel, explore new places, exercise, and read books about personal growth. Luis plans to finish his degree in psychology at UTEL university and attend the World Cup in Qatar before the end of 2022. As an academy coach, Luis seeks to make young players comfortable with the ball at their feet, as well as increase their passion for the beautiful game.
Background: Mexican
Hobbies: Listening to music and dancing
Birth date: 10 April 1988
Entry date: June 2019
Quentin Bassine has over five years of coaching experience spread out between soccer, tennis and ice hockey. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education, where he believes that Education is the path towards a brighter future. In 2012, Quentin graduated with a Master in Sport Sciences from the Université Claude Bernard in Lyon (France), specializing in Fitness Training. Quentin is very enthusiastic about teaching his fitness passion to our Sporting players, while being dedicated to youth development.
Background: French
Hobbies: Working out, backpacking and reading books
Birth date: 21 August 1992
Entry date: July 2018
Utkarsh Parkar has played futsal all his life. Born and raised in India, Parkar and his friends created their own club and reached the second division of their province where they were coaching themselves. With a degree in hotel management, Parkar is now a chef by profession with experience in some of the most iconic restaurants in the world: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai and CN Tower in Toronto. Parker is curious about other cultures and countries and he is currently learning Spanish to one day go on an adventure in South America.
Background: Indian
Hobbies: Playing the ukulele and watching movies
Coaching certification:
Making Ethical Decisions
Fundamentals*
* Ongoing
Birth date: 24 February 1986
Entry date: September 2018
Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Paul has been playing soccer since he was 8 years old at different levels and teams including for Queen’s University Belfast as a center midfielder and right back. During his childhood he also played the Irish traditional sport for several years, gaelic football, until he had to choose one of them. Now as a soccer coach, Paul is passionate about improving players at all skill levels and ensuring all players he coaches enjoy their time at Sporting. Paul has a degree in Quantity Surveying and works as a Development Manager on construction projects. Paul hopes to go to Las Vegas some day to watch a fight with his father, as well as visit Vietnam.
Background: Irish
Hobbies: Soccer, personal fitness, documentaries & podcasts
Coaching certification:
Learn to train
Ontario Soccer C License*
*Ongoing
Birth date: 21 August 1983
Entry date: August 2018
Mohammed (Moe) Abduljalil is an avid soccer fanatic who played the sport at the youth level before stopping to pursue his education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Ontario Tech University. Prior to joining Sporting Toronto academy, he was part of NUTMEG Soccer, a non for-profit organization that provides free soccer and educational sessions for children in Toronto and that’s where he gained some experience working with kids. For years he’s been involved with the Toronto Soccer Community (TSC), organizing pickups across the city, helping newcomers get involved with the community and also playing the game. His goal now is to continue learning at our academy and hopefully one day go back to Sudan and be an influential grassroots coach.
Background: Sudanese
Hobbies: General Knowledge/Sports Trivia and Table Tennis
Coaching certification:
Making ethical decisions
Soccer for life
Birth date: 18 March 1998
Entry date: May 2020
Born and raised in India, Rohil played cricket, tennis and swimming before he was introduced to soccer at the age of 11. Center back was his initial position before he was moved to the goalkeeper role due to his bravery and resilience. During this time, he was auctioned for $100 dollars to go play for a team in an inaugural league held in his state. Besides just playing, he also got involved in coaching in a girls and junior teams from his high school and his academy back home. Rohil has completed his advanced diploma in Computer Programming & Analysis from Seneca College where he also played soccer and won 3 recreation leagues. Additionally, he has experience officiating recreational soccer at XTSC in Toronto. Rohil looks to radiate his passion to the rising stars of Sporting and do his best to actively participate in initiatives that benefit the people around him.
Background: Indian
Hobbies: Photography & Mentoring
Coaching certification:
Making Ethical Decisions*
Active Start
*Ongoing
Birth date: 31 October 1990
Entry date: June 2018
Gonçalo Marques is a former Boy Scout and futsal player. He completed his Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Aveiro with one semester spent in Czech Republic. He enjoys running, having completed a Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront marathon, and is now training to do a 5K run in less than 20 minutes. Gonçalo hopes to coach in a different country someday, but in the meantime, he wants to keep learning and help provide the resources for our players to grow and succeed.
Background: Portuguese
Hobbies: Running and board games
Coaching certification:
Canada Soccer B License Part 1
Canada Soccer B License Part 2*
Youth License
UEFA C*
Soccer fitness Trainer Level I
*ongoing
Birth date: 12 July 1989
Entry date: May 2011
Samuel Gyeke-Amoako, has over 10 years of coaching experience. A believer in continuous learning, he is currently pursuing a Masters in Sports Performance Coaching with the University of Stirling along with various licenses. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Justice Studies from York University. With great involvement, dedication and commitment to the Sporting Universe, Sam strives to increase diversity in the academy.
Background: Ghanaian
Hobbies: Drawing and learning about history
Coaching certification:
Ontario Soccer C License
Canada Soccer B License*
Children’s License*
UEFA C*
Soccer fitness Trainer Level I
*ongoing
Patricia was born in Toronto but raised in Portugal where she spent most of her life. Since diagnosed with celiac disease at 12 years old she was forced to understand every single ingredient going into her body. She later decided to take a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Porto in Portugal with one semester spent in Poland in between. Specialist in nutritional counselling and follow-up with patients under a weight loss program, Patricia looks to help our athletes and their families find a healthy diet with emphasis on the pleasure of eating well.
Background: Portuguese
Hobbies: Playing the violin and reading
Alicia is an avid soccer player and former youth soccer coach, who has been playing in pickup games, leagues, and tournaments for decades. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kinesiology/Exercise Sciences at McMaster University and the University of Toronto, and recently underwent a one year training certification to become a Functional Health Coach. In 2015, her passion for soccer as a tool for personal and community development led to her co-founding NUTMEG Soccer, a Toronto based not-for-profit soccer and life skills organization. Alicia is so excited to combine her love for soccer with her health coaching skill set to support players and their families in achieving their health, wellness, and mindset goals and flourishing as humans!
Background: Canadian/Italian
Hobbies: Soccer and cooking
Chaitanya is a toy engineer at Spin Master, as well as a photography enthusiast since 2011. Growing up in Oakville, Chaitanya participated in many sports as a child, including soccer and baseball. During his final season of baseball, a father of his teammate acted as a volunteer photographer for the team. Sitting on the bench, Chaitanya found himself more fascinated by the equipment the photographer was using than the game he was supposed to be playing. Today, Chaitanya is a part time photographer covering sports and events. Chaitanya looks to build passion for soccer through his photography by capturing the spirit of the game in his images.
Background: Canadian/Indian
Hobbies: Photography and leather crafting
Jason King is an Australian born athlete, coach, mentor and talent scout. He was born into football – learning to play from his Grandfather who was a well-respected professional player in England. His goal is laser focused on developing and helping student athletes across Ontario get into College or University in Canada or America through athletic and academic scholarships. Jason is a huge advocate for these kids and wants them to realize their own capabilities and their potential on the football field and in the classroom. In his spare time, Jason will be seen in the kitchen or at the park with his kids, wife and two dogs. He is a huge believer that family always comes first. His favourite Football teams are Man Utd and Napoli, and all-time favourite player is Ryan Giggs.
Background: Australian
Hobbies: Spending time with family and cooking
Andrew was born and raised in Toronto, who has been playing competitive soccer and other sports recreationally for years. He’s currently enrolled at Ryerson University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Sport Media. Andrew has a profound love for sports and content creation, combining his two passions to create his own soccer-based podcast, Premier Talk. He has experience in video editing, graphic design, sports writing, and is working to one day be a part of the sport media landscape. Andrew has also worked with the indigenous youth of Attawapiskat, conducting soccer and media related programs in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Andrew is excited to channel his appreciation for the beautiful game of soccer, to create meaningful content for people to enjoy.
Background: Canadian/Portuguese
Hobbies: Soccer and creating podcasts