Growing up in a soccer family and playing on the streets of Highfields in Harare was the beginning of Dillon's soccer playing journey. His inspiration was his father who played for Caps United FC as well as the Zimbabwean national team. At the junior level, Dillon played for Young Buffalos and Simunye FC of Swaziland. He captained the 2004 and 2005 Churchill Boys High School teams that dominated the regional league in Harare as well as national tournaments. He joined Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe and became a key player for their teams at U15, U17, U19 and Senior B Team. Dillon signed his first professional contract with Dynamos FC in 2006 but had to join his family in Canada before he could make his mark with the first team. In 2008 he joined FMS Academy in Montreal. He was invited for tryouts with the Portland Timbers of USA in 2011. In 2013 Dillon signed with FC Edmonton but suffered a career-ending knee injury during a preseason game. As the President of YK Galaxy Soccer Academy, Coach Dillon brings passion and 20 years of playing experience under the direction of great coaches. He holds the Canada Soccer National Level 'C' License and is on track to obtaining the Canada Soccer National Youth License.
Coach Graeme - U16 Boys
Coach Graeme is a Soccer Canada level ‘C’ licensed coach with many years of experience as a player, coach, and avid fan of the game. If he’s not coaching, playing, or watching soccer, you will find him reading about it from some of the world’s greatest managers and players. Coach Graeme’s entire coaching is built around player development and Soccer IQ. Every player should be provided the opportunity to reach their potential. Within that approach, Graeme’s training sessions emphasize in-game learning with time given to working on and perfecting technical skills. Coach Graeme’s teams are easily identified by their dedication to ball possession, team defense, and strong cohesion where every player contributes to the team’s success.
Coach Brooks - U16/U18 Coed
Coach Brooks was introduced to soccer at a very young age, and continued to pursue that passion throughout his years at university in the United States. He hopes his passion for soccer and personal growth can help players at YK Galaxy sustain their love for the game. Besides supporting players as they work on their skills and understanding of soccer, Coach Brooks also aims to assist in the development of individuals who are productive members in the communities.
Coach Gareth - U14 Boys and U13/U14 Coed
Coach Gareth started playing at the age of 12 when he entered high school in Jamaica. He played every day after school and within two years was selected as a defender for his high school soccer team. Soccer has been part of his life ever since. Coach Gareth started coaching when his son's began playing soccer. He enjoys teaching kids the game the way he was taught as it is very fulfilling to pass on the knowledge and be part of the kids’ development in soccer.
Coach Katie - U10/U12 Girls and U8 Coed
Coach Katie joined galaxy in the summer of 2020, as a new coach. She started soccer at age 4 and played competitively from age 9 to 18. She played sweeper on a regionally ranked team in the Ottawa area. Coach Katie never had any female coaches growing up so she’s very excited to coach girls with the YK Galaxy. Katie loves the energy and humor that kids bring to sports.
Coach Knox - U12 Boys
Coach Knox has been involved in soccer for most of his life. Growing up, he recognized he would not become a star player, but even that did not diminish his love for the sport. He would assume any responsibilities that allowed him to be part of the team. That is how he became a lifelong student of the game who stays abreast with the ever evolving coaching and training methods utilized for player development across the globe. Coach Knox has been part of the YK Galaxy Club since its inception and currently coaches the U11 Boys team. Knox believes that every player has the capacity to improve their technical and tactical abilities. His role as a coach is to create a safe learning environment that matches players’ developmental needs.
Coach Stefanos - U12 Boys
Coach Stefanos is an assistant coach with the U11 Boys team. He grew up playing makeshift soccer balls, barefooted and on jagged gravel fields. He believes that soccer is an art where one’s feet are a mare tool to express what is in the mind. He gets satisfaction from watching kids express their art, and mastering basic and yet indispensable skills such as ball control, dribbling, passing, and scoring. Above all, he strives to make sure each training session is filled with fun and players get technically stronger and better.
Coach Damien - U12 Boys
Coach Damien has been playing soccer for 25 years. He played in college and also in the Men's Club Nationals for the Northwest Territories. He is a certified personal trainer, athletic coach, and "Run, Jump, Throw" instructor. Coach Damien enjoys coaching youth soccer to help promote teamwork, positive attitudes, and physical activity in general. He has been coaching youth soccer for 6 years in Yellowknife, following his son through the age groups. Damien uses a coaching philosophy that mixes self-discipline and fun, to help foster a balance that is needed throughout life.
Coach Mustafa - U12 Boys
Coach Mustafa is very passionate about soccer. He grew up in Kutahya, Turkey, where he played soccer by age 5, was refereeing at 15, and played semi-professional with the district club Domanic Sport in his twenties. Since moving to Yellowknife, he has been an active member of the local soccer community, assuming various roles including playing, coaching, and refereeing. Coach Mustafa is a certified soccer and futsal referee as well as a Soccer Canada Level ‘C’ licensed coach. He has been coach since 2010, including being head coach with the Aurora Minor Soccer League, and assistant coach & team manager of YK Galaxy Men’s Team at the 2019 Toyota National Championship. The highlight of his refereeing career was to officiate at the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.
Coach Isaac - U10 Coed
Coach Isaac is a certified CSA National B licensed coach who has coached at various levels of the game. His love for the game has provided him with the opportunity to contribute to the sport in various capacities across Canada and in the North, including: head coach for the Western Canada Summer Games U15/U17 NWT mens and female team, coach for the Yellowknife FC Men's Toyota National Championships. Coach Isaac was also the coach for the Western Canada Summer Games for the mens team in 2003. He was the founder and head coach for the YK Gunners Football Club. He utilizes soccer to develop the many life lessons that sports teaches our youth, including teamwork, responsibility, goal-setting, resilience, self-confidence, motivation, compassion, self-discipline, a positive attitude, and respect for oneself, for others, and for the sport.
