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Former League1 Ontario players have signed Ontario Soccer’s Message of Support.

Ontario Soccer are celebrating Black History Month as black members of the province’s soccer community come together to sign a Message of Support.

Several black members of the League1 Ontario family signed the letter, which aims to support, inspire, and provide hope to young black athletes and people in the sport.

Avarie Thomas, Jyanessa Sealy, and Sasha Marikano all played in the League1 Ontario 2024 season and have signed the letter which was published on Ontario Soccer’s website, as well as match officials including Kanika Johnson and Kamilia Barradas.

Several professional alumni also joined the list, such as Christopher Kalongo who is now with Forge, and Kembo Kibato, Steffen Yeates, and Nyal Higgins from York United. AFC Toronto’s Nikayla Small also features, as well as Ottawa Rapid’s Jazmine Wilkinson who switched to Ontario from starring in the 2024 League1 BC season.

Please click here to read the letter and the full list of signatures from the League1 Ontario family and wider soccer community. You can also follow Ontario Soccer on social media for more Black History Month content.

Other black members of our soccer family who would like to add their names to the list can reach out to Ontario Soccer’s Manager of Digital Strategy and Communications, Ben Lungo, at blungo@ontariosoccer.net.