Riya was born and raised in the GTA and has a lifelong passion for soccer and working with children! She started playing competitive soccer at just seven years old and continued all the way through university, building both her skills and her love for the game along the way. With over three years of experience working with children, Riya brings energy, positivity, and enthusiasm to every session. She is passionate about creating a fun, supportive, and confidence-building environment where every child can learn, grow, and enjoy the game. Outside of coaching, she loves travelling, cooking, baking, hiking, and spending time outdoors!
Kazeem
Coach Coordinator
Kazeem has been with Little Kickers for 9 years. He began as an assistant coach and worked his way up to a coordinator. He loves to share laughs, stories and has a passion for working with youth. He spend his free time plane spotting and listening to his favourite artists Kali Uchis and Dua Lipa. He is confident, reliable and leaves a lasting impression. Building and maintaining relationships with his players and their families are of utmost importance to him.
Mikaela
Lead Coach
Mikaela’s favourite part of being a coach is starting each class by asking the kids to share something special about their week. It’s a great way for everyone to get to know each other better, and she loves seeing friendships blossom between the children and their soccer mates. Building a supportive little community where everyone encourages each other both on and off the field is something she really values. One of her favourite Little Kickers memories is playing a full field game in the rain on Mother’s Day with Moms vs Mega Kickers. A fun fact about Mikaela is that she has two iguanas, a tortoise, a chameleon, and several geckos, and her favourite artist is ABBA.
Praise
Coach
Praise enjoys staying active through a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, and volleyball, as it keeps her competitive, social, and engaged. Her favourite part of coaching is seeing players grow and improve over time, helping them build new skills and confidence while being part of a supportive team environment. If she could be a superhero, Praise would choose Spider-Man, admiring how he balances strength with everyday challenges and continues to help others no matter the circumstances. A fun fact about Praise is that she always listens to music before games or practices, using it to focus and get into the right mindset depending on her mood.
