It takes getting to know all of your players and being able to manage different expectations and abilities. That’s one thing I enforce with myself and my other instructors, and that’s getting to know each kid individually — Coach Adam Colagiacomo
A. That’s the hardest part of being a coach, and that takes experience and time. I’m very lucky and happy to be a coach all the way from a four-yearold right to an 18-year-old pro. It takes getting to know all of your players and being able to manage different expectations and abilities. That’s one thing I enforce with myself and my other instructors, and that’s getting to know each kid individually by asking about how school is going, for example. Which leads to them wanting to work hard for you because you have given back to them, by getting to know them on a personal level. Q. What is the last message you tell your students right before they leave your school? A. First and foremost, I thank the kids for coming out and allowing us to be able to do what we love every single day. 24
CITY LIFE MAGAZINE
Aug/Sept 2019
When you walk away from our school, I remind the kids about the importance of work ethic, and how you need to be hardworking in all aspects of life in order to succeed. COACH JIM BRENNAN There is light at the end of the title when it comes to Canadian football (soccer) with coaches such as Jim Brennan at the helm of York 9 FC. For those who do not know, Canada finally has a professional football league, which started this year. This league is called the Canadian Premier League, and York 9 FC is one of seven clubs that make up the league, which spans the country. Jim Brennan is a Canadian-born footballer with over 10 years of experience playing in England at the highest level. When listening to coach Brennan talk about Canadian football, a sense of passion and positivity is really
Q. From your experiences playing in a foreign country, what advice could you pass along to younger players who are currently or will be playing in a foreign country, such as an Alphonso Davies playing for Bayern Munich, and how they can deal with racist remarks or hassling of any kind? A. In regard to racist remarks, there is no excuse for any of that, there is no room for that in the game. But for the young boys over there, just enjoy the moment, dig your head down, keep working and prove to people that you can play this game and play at the highest level. Q. What has been the highlight so far in coaching York 9 FC? A. Every week there’s a new highlight, just watching these guys start to gel and express themselves. The highlight I www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTOS BY CARLOS A. PINTO
COACH JIM BRENNAN
evident. Along the same vein, the coach puts an emphasis on working hard to showcase one’s talent. The stigma around Canadian football comes from the idea that we are not a footballing nation. Brennan counters this notion, challenging his players to play with high intensity, but to also express themselves out on the pitch — essentially letting the play do all the talking. Coach Brennan is someone who enjoys being around his squad every day and knows his players inside and out. With coaches like Brennan, Canadian players will only mature and gain more confidence in knowing that they can compete with anyone.