P(l)aying It Forward

Making a very special home appearance, Ivan Joseph ’96, PhD, joined a top-notch team of coaches led by Constable Melody Carroll ’99 of the Toronto police.

The Graceland alumna represents the Police Service 31 Division as Community Relations Officer. She had gathered fellow accomplished Graceland graduates to give back to the community and hold a soccer clinic for young athletes from Toronto’s priority neighborhoods: Associate Head Coach Joseph, Head Coach Kasy Kiarash ’12 of Queens University and Head Coach Filip Prostran ’08 of Toronto Metropolitan University. Each coach brought a wealth of international soccer and national-team level expertise to the event, creating an enriching environment for the aspiring soccer talents.

“Our goal was to provide these young athletes with the same opportunities that are typically only available to those who can afford club sports,” Coach Prostran explained. “We wanted to demystify post-secondary education and show that it is accessible to all, regardless of their background.”

Remembering their own origins and obstacles they encountered in their personal biographies, the coaches’ generosity reached far beyond athletic training: they had donated the field time at the clinic location in Downsview Park that could easily be reached by public transportation, and provided free of charge all the equipment, snacks and drinks needed for the day.

This made the event accessible to all participants, breaking down barriers that typically prevent such opportunities in this part of the city. Joseph and his colleagues also offered educational coaching, answering students’ and their families’ questions on university admissions, the importance of academic success, and how to take this clinic experience and their potential further.

Officer Carroll summarized the event that was highly rewarding and inspiring on both sides: “We are grateful for this initiative and hope to find ways to partner again in the future. This clinic has shown our youth that they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving great things.”