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.
Thomas
Lead Coach
Thomas’s favourite part of coaching is watching children grow in confidence, especially when they start off shy and begin to believe in themselves. Having coached children from as young as 18 months to 7 or 8 years old, he has been able to see their full journey and development, making the experience even more meaningful. Hearing from parents that their child is now scoring goals and playing with confidence shows him that the work being done is truly making an impact. Thomas has been playing soccer for most of his life, starting as a goalkeeper before moving to left wing and eventually becoming a striker. By the age of 13, he was playing at the U16 level, but a serious ankle injury during a finals game brought his competitive playing journey to an end and taught him resilience and discipline. Outside of coaching, Thomas works in construction and has experience in mechanical shops, but the moment he steps onto the field and puts his whistle on, everything else fades away and he is fully present, bringing his best energy to the kids each session.
Melanie
Lead Coach
Hi, I’m Melanie Cianci, and I have been a Little Kickers soccer coach for over 4 years. I’m passionate about working with kids and creating a fun, supportive environment where they can build confidence and develop their love for soccer. My favourite part of coaching is watching players grow from their very first class and seeing their skills and enthusiasm improve each week. I love seeing the friendships they form and the excitement they bring to every session. I’m currently completing my Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto, and I’m dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and succeed both on and off the field.
Danylo
Lead Coach
Danylo’s favourite player is Toni Kroos, and he also enjoys playing basketball, hockey, and volleyball. He has been playing soccer competitively since the age of eight and is comfortable playing in any position except goalkeeper. His favourite part of coaching is watching his Little Kickers grow and develop as they progress through the program all the way to Mega Kickers, building their skills and confidence along the way.
