The KIA Toronto FC Academy spent all of last week participating in Health and Wellness Week. The full week was dedicated to learning about the things it takes to be an elite athlete and a developing person that happen outside the white lines. For three of the evenings, each Academy player from all 5 teams were involved in two hours of seminars that addressed a wide range of topics. On the other evenings, their parents took turns hearing about important issues that affect them and their children.
A number of the sessions focused on the players’ physical well-being. A popular stop was in the kitchen and dining room for a focus on nutrition and food preparation (pictured above). The importance of making healthy choices and establishing good habits was stressed, as was the need for the nutrition necessary for recovery in a high-performance athlete’s life. There was a demonstration of how to make a ‘recovery shake,’ and everyone got to take home the recipe as well as a shopping list.
In other sessions, the players learned some group exercises, and principles of rest and
recovery. This week of holistic learning also dealt with topics on the mental side of life, such as dealing with stress. Toronto FC Media Coordinator Mike Masaro provided the players with some media training, which they got to practice with GolTV’s Lee Godfrey (pictured at right). The social aspect was front and centre in a segment about the importance of volunteerism and community service.
On his way from the nutrition seminar to one outlining future education options, Paul Stowell, whose son Matt is part of the Senior Academy, shared his appreciation for the fact that the club doesn’t just care about his son as an athlete. “It’s like this is a family. They’re trying to look after the whole person,” Paul explained, “and this week is like taking care of the skeleton. You’ve got to maintain it or you won’t have anything.”
Another important moment for the Academy players came when they heard from a real-life TFC Academy graduate, Jonathan Osorio, in the first-team locker room. “Throughout the whole speech I had goose bumps and my hair stood on end,” said Zac Zitoli of the U14 Academy team: “I loved that he kept saying that anybody can make it. ‘Maybe only 4 or 5 of you will make it, but the best thing is anyone can!’" For Steven Furlano of the U16 team, the fact that Osorio "was once just a normal kid like me, but he worked very hard and gave up many things to be where he is today" served as a great motivation. "If I work hard and never give up on my dream, it will may come true one day!" Steven's words are a great recap of an important week in the life of the Academy, as the club remains dedicated to not only producing elite soccer players, but well-rounded young men.
