Toronto FC Academy added Mario Halapir to its scouting arsenal on Thursday as it prepares for the upcoming under-15 and U13 programs.
Halapir has been a member of the University of Laurier Golden Hawks coaching staff since 1999, acting as the associate coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. In 2000 and 2001, Halapir helped lead the men’s team in winning back to back Canadian (CIS) national championships. The Men’s team has also made the Ontario (OUA) playoffs every year since Halapir's arrival in 1999. In 2008, he was named OUA Men's soccer coach of the year.
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The Laurier coach's involvement in soccer has been a lifetime passion and he caters to some of the region’s top youth players and also runs programs for teams, clubs and coaches alike. Halapir has also been volunteering his time by coaching within a local minor soccer association for the past 20 years in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. At the district level, Halapir has been involved as the Southwest Region District Boys Head Coach.
"I am excited by this opportunity to provide players with a pathway to play at the next level," Halapir said. "I am familiar with the (Kitchener-Waterloo) area and the quality that exists there, so I know it will be a good fit."
Halapir holds a Canadian National “B” Licence but had an extensive playing career in CIS as a member of the Golden Hawks, making several appearances in the national championships, with one culminating in a silver medal. Halapir earned OUA all-star honours during his university playing career.
Toronto FC Academy director and head coach Stuart Neely feels the program is always a work in progress.
“This is a business and in order to make it work we need the right personnel, in the right place at the right time. Mario is another strong addition to our program and adds the professionalism that we seek.”
The Reds currently run U19 and U17 teams but the Academy is set to expand along with a $20 million facility project at Downsview Park.
