EPISODE 40

Building Global Pathways with Joe Parolini & @TorontoBlizzard

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura sits down with Joe Parolini, owner of the historic Toronto Blizzard soccer academy, as he joins us from his hometown of Napoli, Italy, to share updates on his international soccer ventures and athlete development programs in Toronto.

Joe reflects on the club’s deep roots in Canadian soccer—from its beginnings in the 1970s to its evolution today—and his ownjourney from player to coach to national team staff at the 1986 World Cup.

Together, they explore the development of young athletes in Canada and abroad, the importance of early technical training, and Joe’s passion for creating equal opportunities for players of all backgrounds.

He also reveals how the Toronto Blizzard is helping Canadian players connect with top US university showcases and leagues like the ECNL, supporting them in earning scholarships and gaining valuable international experience.

Alongside Olympic gold medalist Mark McCoy, Joe prepares athletes physically and mentally for these demanding environments through specialized strength, conditioning, and performance programs.

The episode highlights Joe’s new role as North AmericanSport Director for Brera Holdings, where he’s building pathways for North American players to pursue professional opportunities in Italy, North Macedonia, and beyond. From upcoming ID camps to international training exchanges, Joe’s work is opening global doors for young soccer talent.

Laura and Joe wrap up with a thoughtful conversation on community, collaboration, and the importance of making youth sports development accessible and athlete-centered.

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura interviews athletes Hailey (@hailey.soccer_3) and Vanessa (@vwl0122), two Canadian soccer players from the Toronto area who now play collegiate D1 soccer in the United States at Wagner College @wag_wsoccer.

The conversation explores their journey from playing youth soccer with the Toronto Blizzard @torontoblizzard to earning opportunities in the U.S., their experiences adapting to a faster and more physical American style of play, and the key role their training and fitness programs played in preparing them for NCAA Division I competition.

Both athletes describe the cultural and tactical differences between Canadian and U.S. soccer, noting that the transition required adaptability, grit, and a commitment to continual improvement.

They also reflect on the importance of mentorship, strong coaching, and perseverance. Hailey and Vanessa credit their development program and coach, Joe Perellini, for instilling discipline, fitness, and mental toughness that made their college transition smoother.

Beyond soccer, they discuss the life lessons that come with collegiate athletics, the importance of finding motivation, and staying dedicated through challenges. The episode serves as both an inspiring look at their athletic journeys and valuable guidance for parents and young athletes pursuing sports seriously.

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura sits with Coach Kevin and his 2016 DNLP boys’ soccer team.

@dnlp_futcol

The discussion highlights the academy’s philosophy of developing a passion for soccer while emphasizing enjoyment, teamwork, and personal growth. Coach Kevin, originally from Chile, explains that DNLP focuses on nurturing players’ love for the game rather than just winning, with “Rule #1” being to always have fun.

The young players—Joshua, Jonathan, Dante, Demetri, and Kunga—share their reasons for loving soccer, favorite parts of training, and strategies for handling frustration and staying motivated. Their responses center on fun, friendship, and continuous improvement, reflecting the supportive and disciplined environment Kevin fosters.

The conversation also explores how the players prepare for games—through music, warmups, or watching highlights—and the encouragement they receive from their parents, who emphasize effort, teamwork, and positivity.

Coach Kevin closes by stressing the importance of education, discipline, and mutual respect, noting that DNLP aims to develop well-rounded athletes and individuals.

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Pam is joined by Tamara Giaquinto — standout Canadian hockey player from Boston University, who captained the team in 2024–25, earned the 2024 Hockey East Defender of the Year title, and was recently drafted by PWHL Montreal — along with her longtime mentor, Rob Nixon of SCORE Hockey School

Tamara traces her path from boys' Timbits to Brampton Canadettes, Oakville Hornets, and Etobicoke Jr., through Team Ontario Red and Team Canada U18 (yes, the infamous beep test 10), to BU, the Beanpot, and a Master's in Real Estate.

She and Rob unpack goal-setting, training (and not over-training), balancing academics, leadership, and coming back from a chronic knee issue.

Rob adds parent/coach wisdom: keep it fun, make it their journey, and let athletes own conversations with coaches. A candid, practical guide for players and parents eyeing NCAA or the PWHL path.

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura sits down with Coach Lexi—pro player turned performance coach and founder of Female Soccer Fitness (FSF).

From tearing her ACL three times to earning a scholarship at TMU, playing League1 Ontario, and signing a pro deal in Portugal, Lexi shares how she rebuilt confidence, why “be where your feet are” is her mantra, and the work she uses to help youth athletes move better and prevent injuries.

Now back in the GTA, she’s coaching U10/U12 and running FSF sessions focused on acceleration, change of direction, and ACL-smart mechanics—building faster, braver players on and off the pitch.  

You can follow and connect with Coach Lexi at @FemaleSoccerFitness

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, Pam sits down with Mike Fuoco, head coach of the Etobicoke Dolphins U15 AA team, to dive deep into the world of girls’ hockey in Ontario.

Mike shares his personal journey from playing and coaching in Brampton to becoming a leader in the female game, inspired by his sister’s hockey career.

He explains how the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) structure works—age groups, levels, and the pathway from U9 to junior. Mike breaks down what “high performance” hockey really means, how recruitment works at the U15 level, and the balance between development, competition, and opportunity. He also highlights the importance of player mindset, parent involvement, and being proactive when navigating the girls’ hockey system.

Listeners will come away with a clear understanding of how the female hockey pathway operates, what coaches look for in athletes, and why communication, commitment, and development matter more than promises.

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Pam sits with multi-sport athlete Maliya Holder who shares her journey from growing up in a hockey family to discovering her true passion for Lacrosse.

She opens up about tough decisions—like leaving hockey behind—her time with Oakville, The Toronto Rock, and now a U.S. club, and the sacrifices it takes to chase NCAA D1 dreams.

Maliya gives valuable advice for young athletes on balancing school, sport, and training, and reminds us to enjoy the process, overcome setbacks, and always play for the love of the game.

You can follow us on IG @thesportipodcast and Maliya's journey @maliya.holder

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, Laura sits down with Rachel Bugera, a former figure skater and competitive soccer player who has turned her athletic journey into a mission of service and empowerment through @youth.initiatives.cd

Rachel shares her experiences growing up in sport—the tough decision to leave figure skating for soccer, the highs of team camaraderie, and the lows of toxic coaching environments.

She opens up about a devastating ACL and meniscus injury during her teen years, how recovery tested both her mental and physical resilience, and how those struggles shaped her perspective on the importance of fun, community, and mental health in sport.

Now a university student studying to become a teacher, Rachel is the founder of Youth Initiative, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that connects high school students with meaningful community projects—from supporting the homeless to leading mental health campaigns. Through her advocacy, coaching, and leadership, she is working to ensure more young athletes stay in sport and feel supported long-term.

This episode is a powerful reminder that sport is about more than competition—it’s about resilience, connection, and giving back.

In this episode, host Laura speaks with Sijad (Coach S) and Farshad (Coach F), twin brothers and founders of Game Awareness, a Toronto-based soccer development program that has made waves both locally and internationally. The program began with one-on-one sessions focusing on a critical skill: game awareness - including scanning, quick decision-making, and spatial awareness. After a coaching trip to the Netherlands, the twins realized this was a gap in Canadian soccer development and brought those principles home.

Their online presence helped Game Awareness grow, allowing them to expand into group sessions, tournaments, and their signature Super League. Their events—initially non-sanctioned—quickly attracted attention for their competitiveness and community atmosphere, and the brothers now encourage a balanced mix of both sanctioned and non-sanctioned play.

They emphasize that creating a positive atmosphere helps kids enjoy the game and stay engaged long-term. Their showcase teams offer top players international experiences—traveling to Europe, playing top competition, and returning with clear developmental goals.

The program continues to grow, expanding into girls’ soccer and planning a province-wide league structure, with future plans that you’ll learn more about by tuning in 😉

Huddle up and let's get talking!

In this episode, host Laura speaks with Sijad (Coach S) and Farshad (Coach F), twin brothers and founders of Game Awareness, a Toronto-based soccer development program that has made waves both locally and internationally. The program began with one-on-one sessions focusing on a critical skill: game awareness - including scanning, quick decision-making, and spatial awareness. After a coaching trip to the Netherlands, the twins realized this was a gap in Canadian soccer development and brought those principles home.

Their online presence helped Game Awareness grow, allowing them to expand into group sessions, tournaments, and their signature Super League. Their events—initially non-sanctioned—quickly attracted attention for their competitiveness and community atmosphere, and the brothers now encourage a balanced mix of both sanctioned and non-sanctioned play.

They emphasize that creating a positive atmosphere helps kids enjoy the game and stay engaged long-term. Their showcase teams offer top players international experiences—traveling to Europe, playing top competition, and returning with clear developmental goals.

The program continues to grow, expanding into girls’ soccer and planning a province-wide league structure, with future plans that you’ll learn more about by tuning in 😉